With the US State Department desperately trying to avoid making any conclusive statements on Israel, the suggestion that it was at least possible that Israel is using “excessive force” in their bloody crackdowns on Palestinian protesters took two days of wiggle words to emerge.

The State Department was feverishly backpedaling today, insisting they never meant to suggest Israel had done wrong under any circumstances, though Israeli officials are still furious, and wasting no time in lining up to condemn the US on the matter.

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan was quick to start mocking “foolish” State Department officials for offering any comments on the matter, while Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon insisted it made no sense to call killing Palestinian terrorists “excessive.”

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked went on to note that the NYPD routinely kills people, suggesting Israel is using them as a standard for the crackdown, and insisting Israel will “do what is needed” no matter how much the US objects. The indication, however, is that the US will desperately continue to try to not object.