My must read of the day is "US fuming over Israeli criticism of Kerry," in the Associated Press:
The Obama administration pushed back strongly Monday at a torrent of Israeli criticism over Secretary of State John Kerry's latest bid to secure a cease-fire with Hamas, accusing some in Israel of launching a "misinformation campaign" against the top American diplomat.
"It's simply not the way partners and allies treat each other," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
Her comments were echoed by the White House, where National Security Adviser Susan Rice said the U.S. was "dismayed" by mischaracterizations of Kerry's efforts. Israeli media reports have cast Kerry as seeking a cease-fire that is more favorable to Hamas and being dismissive of key Israeli concerns. […]
As Kerry returned from the region over the weekend, Israeli media commentators leveled almost nonstop criticism of his attempts to bring Qatar and Turkey—two countries viewed by Israel as strong Hamas supporters—into the cease-fire negotiations. Kerry was also accused of abandoning some of Israel's key demands during the negotiations, including demilitarizing Gaza.
"It’s simply not the way partners and allies treat each other."
Please.
The key word in all of that is media. The Israeli government made public responses rebutting the criticisms, yet U.S. officials are appalled that members of the media would harshly criticize them.
The complaints of Jen Psaki, and Susan Rice, and who ever else decides to join in, can only be described as embarrassingly whiney. It’s as if they’re stomping their feet and screaming "but we’re tryingggg! You’re mean and you can’t say that because that’s mean."
Disagree with the characterization and comment on it if you’re asked, but brush it off as media reports and just do your job. Whining about it is unproductive and exhibits a level of arrogance, in which they feel entitled to control the terms of this discussion. Sorry State Department, that’s not how it works—you’re not immune to criticisms just because you don’t like them.