Israeli minister brands John Kerry 'pathetic' as spat with US intensifies

A senior member of the Israeli government has called US secretary of state John Kerry's planned Middle East policy speech a "pathetic move", heightening tensions between the two close allies as the Obama administration prepares to leave office.

The comments by Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan are the latest salvo in a toxic exchange following America's refusal to veto a UN Security Council resolution last week which called Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem a violation of international law.