U.S. finds Netanyahu aide's comments 'troubling and offensive': official

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States finds comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new media adviser to be "troubling and offensive" and Secretary of State John Kerry has spoken to the Israeli leader about the issue, the State Department said on Thursday.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said Kerry spoke to Netanyahu on Thursday and understood the prime minister "will be reviewing" the appointment of Ran Baratz as his communications director after the Israeli leader returns from his visit to the United States.

In comments made in a private capacity, Baratz has accused President Barack Obama of anti-Semitism and suggested Kerry had the mental abilities of a 12-year-old.

"His comments about U.S. officials, including the president and Secretary Kerry, we believe were troubling and offensive," Kirby said. "We obviously expect government officials from any country, especially our closest allies, to speak respectfully and truthfully about senior U.S. government officials."

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and David Alexander; Editing by Sandra Maler)

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Woman charged with planning ISIS-inspired attack on New York State Capitol building
• UN candidate Baki vows focus on conflict prevention, UN renewal
• Strong earthquake strikes central Peru, no damage reported