Israel rejects criticism as stabbings continue

Kerry warned that the two-state solution is becoming less feasible as the standstill between Israelis and Palestinians continues, and also warned of the possible collapse of the moderate Palestinian Authority.

Alluding to a the position lately adopted by the Palestinian activist left and the Israeli right, in which a Jewish-majority State-of Israel would annex the West Bank, Kerry said “the one-state solution is no solution at all for a secure, Jewish, democratic Israel living in peace, it is simply not a viable option”.

Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said in a radio interview that she and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also functions as foreign minister, would convene a meeting on Sunday to decide what she anticipated would be a “sharp response” to Wallstrom’s comments. It came after a scorching speech to the forum the previous evening by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warning that Israel’s settlement policies were leading toward a one-state outcome.

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Israel says the latest unrest stems from incitement by Palestinian leaders.

Kerry called USA support for a two-state solution the “glue” of Washington’s overall strategy for the Middle East.

Kerry said Israel’s continued construction of settlements in disputed areas, and the lack of building permits granted to Palestinians, raise concerns among them about Israel’s long-term plans.

“Israel has violated all signed agreements, stopped negotiations, and erased the principles of the two-state solution”, PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat asserted after Israel said it planned to exclude the European Union from the peace process.

The others died in clashes with Israeli forces.

Netanyahu condemned the comments, calling them “scandalous” and said that “apparently the Swedish minister expects Israelis to present their necks to those who want to stab them”. Meanwhile, the Palestinians and much of the world consider Gaza to still be occupied, since Israel blockades it and controls the airspace and sea access in an effort to minimize Hamas’ ability to arm itself.

“Israel will not be a binational state”, Netanyahu said emphatically at the opening of his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, according to the Times of Israel.

Wallstrom’s remarks, however, touched a nerve in Israel, whose forces have killed 103 Palestinians since October 1, of whom it has identified 64 as assailants or who were caught on camera carrying out assaults. “That will not happen; we will continue to protect the lives of Israeli citizens”, Mr Netanyahu said.