Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued the following statement on US President Barack Obama's nomination of US Senator (D-Massachusetts) John Kerry to succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State

"I welcome the nomination of John Kerry to the post of US Secretary of State. Kerry has considerable experience and is a known supporter of the security of the State of Israel. John Kerry and I have been friends for many years. I very much appreciated the fact that six months ago, after my father passed away, he came to visit me during the week of mourning. I look forward to working together with him."