TORONTO – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was caught off guard during an interview with Fox News’ Chris Wallace after Kerry was recorded speaking to one of his aides before the on-air segment.
“While you were on camera and while on microphone,” Wallace said, “you spoke to one of your top aides between the interviews about the situation in Israel.”
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Kerry who apparently forgot his microphone was hot was speaking with one of his aides about a recent operation in the Gaza Strip. Wallace presents the clip in reference to “14 Israelis” killed in the operation, but recent reports suggest that number is actually 13.
During the recorded conversation Kerry keeps repeating “it’s a hell of a pinpoint operation,” which seems to reference Israel’s expanding invasion in Gaza.
“It’s escalating significantly and underscores the need for ceasefire,” Kerry’s aide says.
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Kerry responds saying “we’ve got to get over there. I think we should go tonight,” noting that it is “crazy” to be “sitting around.”
The statements appear to contradict the country’s previous unwavering support for Israel in the ongoing conflict.
Wallace asks Kerry if he is “upset that the Israelis are going too far?”
“It’s very difficult in these situations, obviously,” Kerry said. “You have people who have come out of tunnels, you have a right to go in and take out those tunnels. We completely support that, and we support Israel’s right to defend itself against rockets that are continuing to come in.”
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