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Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon has apologised for quotes that appeared in a newspaper that lambasted US Secretary of State John Kerry's role in the Middle East peace process, the BBC reported.

Mr Yaalon was quoted as saying that Mr Kerry was acting out of "misplaced obsession and messianic fervour."

The US state department expressed anger at the remarks.

However, in a statement, Mr Yaalon's office said that he had no intention to cause any offence.

"The defence minister... apologises if the secretary was offended by words attributed to the minister."

Israel and the US shared "a common goal" of advancing peace talks with the Palestinians, the statement said.

"We appreciate Secretary Kerry's many efforts towards that end."

The White House said the alleged comments were "inappropriate" given America's support to Israel's security.

It was a rare rebuke to America's ally.

The BBC's Barbara Plett Usher in New York says that Mr Yaalon's alleged comments - first published by Israel's Yediot Ahronot newspaper - may reflect the mind-set of other government officials, but Israelis want to protect their relationship with their strongest ally.

Mr Yaalon said a security plan that Mr Kerry had presented to Israel was "not worth the paper it was written on."

"John Kerry - who has come to us determined and is acting out of an incomprehensible obsession and messianic fervour - cannot teach me anything about the conflict with the Palestinians," he was quoted as saying.

He expressed the hope that Mr Kerry, who has made 10 trips to Israel since March, would terminate his drive for peace and focus his energies elsewhere.

"The only thing that might save us is if John Kerry wins the Nobel Prize and leaves us be," he was quoted as saying.

Mr Yaalon made his comments in private conversations in Israel and the US, the Israeli newspaper said.