Netanyahu Welcomes Kerry Nomination

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the nomination of U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) as the next U.S. secretary of state.

"I welcome the nomination of John Kerry to the post of U.S. Secretary of State. Kerry has considerable experience and is a known supporter of the security of the State of Israel," Netanyahu said in a statement released Saturday night. "John Kerry and I have been friends for many years. I very much appreciated the fact that six months ago, after my father passed away, he came to visit me during the week of mourning. I look forward to working together with him."

Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, chairs the Senate Foreign Relations committee, which has to approve his nomination. Kerry would succeed Hillary Clinton, who announced her intention to step down at the end of President's Obama's first term.