On Tuesday's CBS This Morning, co-host Charlie Rose provided viewers with a mere 30-second news brief on Secretary of State John Kerry sparking a "storm of criticism" by claiming that Israel would become an "apartheid state" if it did not accept a two-state solution with Palestine: "Secretary of State John Kerry's backtracking after controversial comments about Israel....Kerry released a statement last night saying, quote, 'If I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word.' Kerry says he's been a staunch supporter of Israel for years.'" [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]
That quick mention of the controversy was far more than NBC or ABC provided. Both networks have continued to ignore the story that first broke on Sunday.
On This Morning, Rose also noted some of the political pressure brought to bear on Kerry: "The pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC calls his comments offensive. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor believes Kerry should apologize."
However, Rose failed to highlight Democrats like California Senator Barbara Boxer, Alaska Senator Mark Begich and New York Congresswoman Nita Lowry all condemning the remarks as well.
All three network evening newscasts skipped Kerry's rant on Monday night.
Here is a full transcript of the April 27 This Morning report:
7:14 AM ET
CHARLIE ROSE: Secretary of State John Kerry's backtracking after controversial comments about Israel.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE Kerry Backtracks; Sec'y of State Regrets "Apartheid" Remark]
At a closed-door meeting in Washington Friday, Kerry said if Middle East peace is not achieved, Israel could become an Apartheid state. That remark triggered a storm of criticism.
Kerry released a statement last night saying, quote, "If I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word." Kerry says he's been a staunch supporter of Israel for years.
Even so, the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC calls his comments offensive. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor believes Kerry should apologize.
