McCain: Israel 'Spiraling Out of Control'

Even as Israel arrested six people in the murder of a 16-year-old Palestinian boy, John McCain said today "this thing is in danger of spiraling out of control," and advocated that John Kerry be sent over for a little "shuttle diplomacy." "There’s a whole lot of reasons for it," McCain said, as per the Hill, "but right now this is a time when the United States could play a constructive role." Meanwhile, Israel's ambassador to the US backed reports that "there are nationalistic motives behind these crimes." The six suspects arrested today "will not be hailed as heroes by Israeli political leaders," Ron Dermer said. Elsewhere on the Sunday dial:

• McCain on being Hillary Clinton's 'favorite Republican': "I hope this program is blacked out in Arizona. Please cut this." No, seriously: "I think it's my job to work with every president, if she regrettably obtains the presidency. I respect Hillary Clinton. I may not agree with her."
• Rick Perry on the Obama administration's border control: "I have to believe when you do not respond in any way, you are either inept or have some ulterior motive that you are functioning from. This is a failure of diplomacy. It is a failure of leadership from the administration in Washington, DC."

(More Israel stories.)