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HughPickens.com [hughpickens.com] writes:

BBC reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will "review" the appointment of his new communications director, Ran Baratz, over comments Baratz made on Facebook accusing President Obama of anti-Semitism [bbc.com] and describing US Secretary of State John Kerry as having a "mental age" of no more than 12. Netanyahu has described the comments as totally unacceptable while US state department spokesman John Kirby said Mr Baratz's Facebook posts were "troubling and offensive". “Insults, certainly, aimed at individuals doesn’t do anything to help advance and deepen the relationship. … We learn in kindergarten about name-calling, and it’s simply not a polite thing to do [jpost.com], ‘ Kirby said. The Facebook posts emerged shortly after Netanyahu announced the appointment of philosophy lecturer Mr Baratz as his chief spokesman. In March, Baratz described President Obama's criticism of Netanyahu's opposition to the Iran nuclear deal as "the modern face of anti-Semitism in Western and liberal countries".

Netanyahu quickly distanced himself from the comments but indicated the appointment remained valid [washingtontimes.com]. "I have just read Dr Ran Baratz's posts on the internet, including those relating to the president of the state of Israel, the president of the United States and other public figures in Israel and the United States," Netanyahu said in a statement. "Those posts are totally unacceptable and in no way reflect my positions or the policies of the government of Israel. Dr Baratz has apologized and has asked to meet me to clarify the matter following my return to Israel." Baratz, in a Facebook post Thursday night, apologized for “the hurtful remarks” and for not informing the prime minister of them. Baratz said the posts “were written frivolously and sometimes humorously, in a tone suited to the social networks [nytimes.com] and a private individual.” Baratz added, “It is very clear to me that in an official post one has to behave and express oneself differently.”

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