U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem • Netanyahu: Israel is
prepared to make a historic peace deal, but we must have a Palestinian
partner who's equally prepared • Kerry: Tough decisions ahead.
U.S. Secretary of State John
Kerry and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Thursday
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Photo credit: GPO  |
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry returned to
the Middle East on Thursday as he continue efforts to reach a
"framework agreement" between Israel and the Palestinians. After landing
at Ben-Gurion Internation Airport, Kerry went to Jerusalem, where he
met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Kerry was set to met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Friday.
In a joint press conference with Netanyahu on
Thursday, Kerry said the goal of his latest trip was "to narrow the
differences on a framework that will provide the agreed guidelines for
permanent status negotiations."
"This will take time and it will take
compromise from both sides, but an agreed framework would be a
significant breakthrough," Kerry said. "It would address all of the core
issues. It would create the fixed, defined parameters by which the
parties would then know where they are going and what the end result can
be. It would address all of the core issues that we have been
addressing since day one, including borders, security, refugees,
Jerusalem, mutual recognition, and the end of conflict and of all
claims."
Wary of criticism in Israel regarding "U.S.
pressure," Kerry stated he had come to "facilitate the parties' own
efforts," rather than impose U.S. ideas.
"In the weeks and months ahead, both sides are
going to need to make tough choices to ensure that peace is not just a
possibility but is a reality for Israelis and Palestinians for now and
for future generations," Kerry said.
"It's a tough road," Kerry said. "But this is not mission impossible."
"The commitment of the United States to Israel
is ironclad," Kerry said. "We know that Israel has to be strong to make
peace. And we also know that peace will make Israel stronger not just
with its near neighbors, but throughout the world."
Kerry praised Netanyahu for making a "very
difficult decision," referring perhaps to Israel's release of 26
Palestinian prisoners earlier this week.
Kerry also praised both Netanyahu and
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for continuing
negotiations despite the pressure they faced.
Standing beside Kerry, Netanyahu questioned
the commitment of the Palestinians to reaching a peace agreement,
accusing Palestinian leaders of orchestrating a campaign of "rampant"
incitement against Israel.
"The people of Israel and I are prepared to
make such a historic peace, but we must have a Palestinian partner who's
equally prepared to make this peace," Netanyahu said. "Peace means
ending incitement; it means fighting terrorism and condemning terrorism;
it means recognizing Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people;
it means meeting Israel's security needs; and it means being prepared to
truly end the conflict once and for all. If we're to succeed in our
joint effort, President Abbas must reject terror and embrace peace. I
hope he doesn't miss again the opportunity to give Israelis and
Palestinians a better future."
"A few days ago in Ramallah, President Abbas
embraced terrorists as heroes," Netanyahu said. "To glorify the
murderers of innocent women and men as heroes is an outrage. How can
President Abbas ... say that he stands against terrorism when he
embraces the perpetrators of terrorism and glorifies them as heroes?"
On Friday morning, Kerry met with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in Jerusalem.
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