Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday denounced what he called the "hypocrisy" of the United Nations after U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon demanded Israel protect the lives of children in Gaza.

"This is a black day for the U.N.," Netanyahu said. "Instead of pointing out the fact that Hamas made hostages of Gaza children when it fired from kindergartens... the U.N. chooses once again to preach at Israel."

A top U.S. official on Wednesday denounced "false" assertions by a former Israeli ambassador that the Obama administration has abandoned Israel, a traditional ally of the United States.

In an op-ed piece earlier this week, former Israeli envoy to the United States, Michael Oren, said President Barack Obama had dropped the core principles guiding Israeli-U.S. ties of "no daylight, no surprises."

The head of French telecoms giant Orange told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday he was distressed by reactions to remarks seen as backing a boycott of the Jewish State.

"I deeply regret the impact resulting from the context and interpretation of those statements," Orange quoted Stephane Richard as telling Netanyahu at a meeting in Jerusalem.

An emerging deal between Iran and world powers won't prevent the Islamic republic from reaching nuclear weapon capacity, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday, noting Arab states shared his concern.

"I know I’m often portrayed as the nuclear party pooper, and that would be okay if I was the only voice against the impending deal with Iran," he said at a security conference at Herzliya near Tel Aviv.

CIA chief John Brennan made a "secret" visit to Israel last week to discuss an emerging nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported on Tuesday.

It came as a June 30 deadline looms for a deal that would row back Iran's nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions, which Israel has long opposed, causing friction with the White House.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that a Palestinian-led campaign to snub Israeli goods sought the "elimination" of Israel, following a boycott row with French telecoms giant Orange.

"I think it's important that the international community stop giving the Palestinians a free pass," Netanyahu said after meeting Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek.

Canada's foreign minister on Wednesday reaffirmed his country's ironclad support for Israel and said the realities of the Middle East left the Jewish state no choice but to defend itself.

Meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his first visit to Israel, Rob Nicholson's comments were welcomed at a time of growing pressure on Netanyahu and his rightwing government to curb West Bank settlement and renew talks with the Palestinians.

U.S. President Barack Obama said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that Israel risks losing "credibility" over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance on the creation of a Palestinian state.

Obama made the comments to an Israeli television station in response to a question about Netanyahu's comments regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state before and after March elections.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he was committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state, calling on the Palestinian leadership to return to negotiations unconditionally.

"I remain committed to the idea that the only way we can achieve a lasting peace is through the concept of two states for two peoples -- a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish nation state of Israel," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday named Dore Gold, a seasoned diplomat seen as reluctant to make concessions to the Palestinians, as his director general of foreign affairs.

Gold was an adviser to Netanyahu after he first took office in 1996. Israel's ambassador to the UN from 1997-1999, he also advised former premier Ariel Sharon.