Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new top media adviser is under fire for controversial past comments, including some accusing US President Barack Obama of anti-Semitism.
The controversy surrounding Ran Baratz erupted as Netanyahu prepares to meet Obama in Washington on Monday as part of efforts to heal rifts over the Iran nuclear deal, among other issues.
Netanyahu's office announced Baratz's appointment as the premier's head of public diplomacy and media on Wednesday, and Israeli news sites have since dug up a string of comments he has made.
In March, Baratz wrote about Obama on his Facebook page after Netanyahu addressed the US Congress to express opposition to the Iran deal.
The speech drew heavy criticism from Obama.
"Obama's way of speaking about Netanyahu's speech - that is the modern face of anti-Semitism in Western and liberal countries," Baratz wrote.
"And that comes, of course, with much tolerance and understanding toward Islamic anti-Semitism."
Netanyahu condemned the remarks on Thursday, while Baratz apologised.
"They are inappropriate and do not reflect my positions nor government policy," the premier posted on Twitter. He said he would meet Baratz after he returns home from the United States.
Baratz said they "were written without thinking and sometimes as jokes in language which is appropriate for social networks and for a private person."
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said it was "readily apparent that apology was warranted".
Secretary of State John Kerry - who was also among Baratz's targets - spoke with Netanyahu about the matter by phone.
Baratz's comments "were troubling and offensive", State Department spokesman John Kirby said.
"We obviously expect government officials from any country, especially our closest allies, to speak respectfully and truthfully about senior US government officials," he added.
Besides his comments on Obama, Baratz reportedly wrote that Kerry's "mental age" was no older than 12.
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