Israeli, Palestinian leaders at pivotal point, says Kerry

Kerry, arriving back in the United States on Wednesday, said Israeli and Palestinian leaders had reached a pivotal point and it was now up to them to make important decisions that will lead to lasting peace.

Since September, a tide of Palestinian stabbings, shootings and auto rammings has killed at least 19 Israelis and an American student.

Kerry continued, “these acts of terrorism… deserve the condemnation that they are receiving”.

On Tuesday, Kerry had hoped to mediate gestures that would ease tensions in separate talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mamud Abbas.

Palestinians are also angry at increasing violence by Israeli settlers, who frequently storm the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam.

Following his meeting with the Palestinian leader in Ramallah, Kerry expressed sympathy with the “very dire” situation of Palestinians, and though he did mention “extraordinary concerns” over “the violence”, he never mentioned “terrorism” or the fact that the recent attackers have been Palestinians.

That reasoning matches with what military intelligence Chief Herzl Halevi who told the Israeli cabinet earlier this month that one reason for the current violence is the anger and frustration felt by Palestinians.

Palestinians carry a wounded friend during fighting in the West Bank on October 30. The State Department said the two had discussed ways to stop the violence and “improve conditions on the ground”.

Summary⎙ Print Preparing for statehood, Palestinian officials presented detailed security plans and strategies to retired American Gen. John Allen when he came for security talks in 2013-2014 as part of the Kerry peace talks.

Netanyahu told Kerry that the core problem driving the terror attacks is “religious incitement” by the Palestinian Authority spread via social media, especially surrounding the Temple Mount, according to the official.

In May, Israeli-based Adalah Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights issued a database documenting more than 50 discriminatory laws directly or indirectly target Palestinian citizens of Israel by quelling their political expression and limiting their access to state resources, notably land.

Responding to Kerry’s demand to facilitate the life opportunities of the Palestinians, Netanyahu said, “The civilian projects that the Palestinians are interested in will only be possible if the level of violence is lowered and Israel’s security needs are met”.