国际英语新闻:Israel attempts damage control after DM slams Kerry

Ministers and lawmakers reacted to the reported remarks, with some calling on Netanyahu to dismiss Ya'alon from his post.

"You can oppose negotiations professionally and responsibly without tongue-lashing and destroying relations with Israel's top ally," Justice Minister and lead peace negotiator Tzipi Livni said in a post on her Facebook page.

"I think Ya'alon is revealing the true face of Netanyahu's government," opposition leader Isaac Herzog told Israel's Army Radio, calling on Livni and Finance Minister Yair Lapid to pull their parties out of Netanyahu's coalition and form a center-left bloc that would seek to topple the government.

Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz said that while he agreed with the content of Ya'alon's remarks, Israel must refrain from "personal insults" in voicing disagreement with the U.S.

Kerry has visited Israel multiple times since assuming his post in February 2012 in an attempt to kick start the peace process after a three year halt stagnated the talks. He managed to revive the talks in July of that year.

Kerry continues to closely escort the process and presenting both sides with suggestions and proposals in order to create a framework for the parties to reach an agreement, even as reports mount that the talks have deteriorated.

Despite repeated declarations of the strong alliance between Israel and the United States there have been tensions recently reported between the countries.

On the issue of the diplomatic contacts with Iran, Israel rejected the U.S. efforts to reach an interim agreement with Iran, charging Iranian leaders with trying to stall for time instead of stopping their nuclear program, whereas the United States worked hard to end the 30 years of hostility with Teheran.

As for the peace talks with the Palestinians, although the United States did adopt many of Israel's security demands, Israel has repeatedly been condemned by its ally for its continual construction of thousands of housing units in the West Bank and east Jerusalem settlements, despite explicit requests not to do so.