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A firestorm broke out among congressional Republicans Monday over Secretary of State John Kerry reportedly saying Israel could become an "apartheid state," with the No. 2 House leader saying he should apologize and a senator calling on him to resign.

"Reports that Secretary Kerry has suggested Israel is becoming an apartheid state are extremely disappointing," House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, who is Jewish, said in a statement. "The use of the word apartheid has routinely been dismissed as both offensive and inaccurate, and Secretary Kerry's use of it makes peace even harder to achieve."

The Virginia congressman also urged Kerry to "apologize to the Israeli government and people."

In a statement Monday night, Kerry defended himself, saying, "I will not allow my commitment to Israel to be questioned by anyone, particularly for partisan, political purposes, so I want to be crystal clear about what I believe and what I dont believe. "First, Israel is a vibrant democracy and I do not believe, nor have I ever stated, publicly or privately, that Israel is an apartheid state or that it intends to become one. Anyone who knows anything about me knows that without a shred of doubt. "Second, I have been around long enough to also know the power of words to create a misimpression, even when unintentional, and if I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word to describe my firm belief that the only way in the long term to have a Jewish state and two nations and two peoples living side by side in peace and security is through a two state solution."

Late Monday Sen. Barbara Boxer added a bipartisan note to the Kerry criticism, tweeting, "Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and any linkage between Israel and apartheid is nonsensical and ridiculous."

At the same time, Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, issued a statement saying, I am disappointed with Secretary Kerrys reported remarks...(he) knows as well as anyone that negotiating lasting peace in this region of the world is difficult but its not productive to express his frustration in this way."

The backlash follows a Daily Beast report claiming Kerry made the statement during a closed-door meeting Friday with "influential world leaders." He reportedly warned that if Israel doesn't make peace, the country could become "an apartheid state."

Shortly after Cantors call for an apology, Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz called for Kerrys resignation on the Senate floor.

"Mr. President, it is my belief that Secretary Kerry has thus proven himself unsuitable for his position and that before any further harm is done to our alliance with Israel, he should offer President Obama his resignation, Cruz said. And the president should accept it.

Kerry reportedly made the comparison after peace talks hit a wall last week, as Fatah announced a unity agreement with Hamas. Israel, which like the U.S. considers Hamas a terror group, suspended peace talks after that announcement -- although Kerry continued to voice hope that both sides could return to the negotiating table.

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Hill Republicans call on Kerry to apologize, resign for reported Israel 'apartheid' remarks