Update: Israel Apologizes

The state department shot back Tuesday after Israel's defense minister branded Secretary of State John Kerry "messianic" just days before he is due to visit the country.

"The remarks of the Defense Minister if accurate are offensive and inappropriate especially given all that the United States is doing to support Israel's security needs," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Moshe Yaalon, Israel's defense minister, was quoted by the Yediot Aharonot newspaper on Tuesday as saying that the only thing that could "save" Israel was for Kerry to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and "leave us alone." [Link]