Let’s repeat some of that: “He was saying that as he travels around the world building a global coalition to defeat ISIL, …he hears from people in conversations,… that if we could resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, that would help create a more stable region.”
The phrase” a more stable region” was made in the clear context of the war on ISIL.
Clear enough?
No, Harf says. “In no way was he directly linking Israel and the growth of ISIL, at all.
Arikat noted that as far back as 40 years ago, “King Faisal [who then was king of Saudi Arabia], was always saying that not resolving this issue may lead to extremism or people will exploit it, as you said.”
Harf agreed.
“Absolutely,” she said, “and American presidents and secretaries of state of both parties have said that if we can achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians, it would be a blow to the region’s extremists. Yes, they’ve said that.”
In clear words, Harf said that Kerry said exactly what she said he didn’t say but did say.
See and hear for yourself, from 4:08 to 7:59 in the YouTube of Harf’s comments.
