Secretary of State John Kerry this morning took aim at Israel’s government as he defended the Obama administration’s decision to allow the U.N. Security Council to pass resolution condemning the country’s settlement activity.

“Friends need to tell each other the hard truths, and friendships require mutual respect,” Mr. Kerry said during a speech at the State Dept.

Mr. Kerry singled out the Israel’s envoy to the U.N., saying he doesn’t support a two-state solution with the Palestinians.

On the other hand, Mr. Kerry said the U.S. vote was “in accordance with our values” in the region.

“The two-state solution is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” he said.

He said the U.S. “could not in good conscience stand in the way of a resolution” that condemned settlement activity, which the administration views as an obstacle to a peace deal.

“We would be derelict in our own responsibilities,” Mr. Kerry said.