The U.S. State Department spokesperson and her deputy are finding it difficult to continue condemning Israeli plans to build more settlements in the West Bank.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry with Deputy Chief of Staff Jon Finer, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland, and State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki. (State Dept. Photo)
Marie Harf, Deputy State Department Spokesperson: Hi Jen.
Jen Psaki, State Department Spokesperson: Hi Marie, sup?
Harf: Not much. Hey, did you see Obama’s suit?
Psaki: I know, right?? What’s UP with THAT?
Harf: I literally spilled my vente pumpkin spice latte.
Psaki: I know, right?? Anyway, sup?
Harf: So, the Israelis announced they’re gonna do this huge land appropriation.
Psaki: Fuck. Not again.
Harf: I know, right??
Psaki: So listen, type me up something along the lines of “We condemn in the strongest terms, the –”
Harf: — sorry, we can’t use “condemn”.
Psaki: Why not?
Harf: Used it before.
Psaki: Oh. OK. So, let’s do “decry”.
Harf: Nope.
Psaki: We did “decry”?
Harf: Yup. Just before the Biden visit, remember?
Psaki: OK, OK. How about “denounce”?
Harf: Nope.
Psaki: “Deplore”?
Harf: Sorry.
Psaki: Wait, how many times have they done this?
Harf: Do you really want me to answer that?
Psaki: No, no… I don’t. OK, “bemoan”?
Harf: Nah.
Psaki: We’ve used “bemoan”? What kind of press secretary would use that? Jesus.
Harf: I know, right??
Psaki: “Lament”?
Harf: Not sure, but I just shiver at the thought of what Matt Lee might say about that.
Psaki: Yuck.
Harf: I know. Yuck. Matt Lee. Blechhh…
Psaki: “Disapprove”?
Harf: Nope.
Psaki: “Regret”?
Harf: Ha, you’re funny.
Psaki: “Oppose”.
Harf: Nah, don’t forget AIPAC.
Psaki: Fuck!
Harf: I know, ri–
Psaki: –Shut up, Marie!
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