Kerry in Israel for 1st Time since 2014; No Bold Peace Push

The parties declare they remain committed to the two-state solution but neither side appeared to expect a big push to resume talks at this point. A Palestinian stabbed an Israeli in the neck in the southern West Bank today and was shot dead by forces at the scene, the army and a hospital said.

“It’s not only our battle; it’s everyone’s battle”, he said.

Israel has said the settlements are necessary for its security and say the Palestinians must recognize Israel’s right to exist if there is ever to be a peace deal.

With US-backed talks on a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territory frozen since early 2014, Netanyahu says there can be no peace while the “onslaught of terror” continues.

In addition to the local unrest, Kerry referred to the turmoil engulfing the wider region.

“Apparently one wounded, terrorist neutralised”, the Israeli police said in a statement.

“We all have an interest, needless to say, in working together against this spasm of violence that is interrupting too much of the daily life of too many nations”, Kerry added.

Arriving with scant hopes for a major breakthrough, Kerry said he would discuss with Netanyahu and later Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah ways of calming tensions.

These would include giving the Palestinian Authority self-rule powers in parts of the West Bank where Israel maintains sole security and administrative control.

The meeting between Oren, a member of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and Zananiri, who is the deputy chairman of the Palestinian Committee for Interaction With the Israeli Society, was held at the initiative of Hebrew University’s Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace.

Meanwhile, Israeli police continued to impose restriction on the entry of Palestinians into the site, especially women and youth, reserving their identity cards prior to their entry.

In his recent meeting with President Barack Obama, Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to the two-state solution.

The West Bank has recently been a hotbed of violent activity since a wave of terrorism struck over the last two months, killing 21 Israelis and injuring dozens more.

Israeli police shot two Palestinian teenage girls after the pair reportedly attacked an elderly man with a pair of scissors. The arrangement was part of the Oslo accords reaching during the 1990s.

Eighty-six Palestinians have been killed since October 1, some while carrying out assaults and others in clashes with Israeli forces. The official said Israel would not agree to any freeze in settlement construction. Even centrist doves in opposition to Netanyahu, such as Isaac Herzog’s Labor party, are largely in support of holding onto the main settlement blocks.

Prime Minister Netanyahu made similar remarks during his press conference with John Kerry. “There are all sorts of unilateral moves … wait and see”.

So, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your welcome.