Kerry: Israeli-Palestinian Talks Getting Closer
by VOA News July 17, 2013
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Israel and the Palestinians are moving closer to resuming peace talks.
Kerry told reporters in Jordan Wednesday his talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials have been able to narrow differences between the two sides 'very significantly.' But he warned the parties not to take steps that would undermine the process.
Kerry's remarks in Amman came during his sixth trip to the Middle East since becoming secretary of state earlier this year.
Earlier in the day, Kerry briefed the Arab League chief and representatives of Arab states that support a comprehensive peace plan. He also met with Jordan's King Abdullah, and was scheduled to meet again later Wednesday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Kerry has made reviving the Israeli-Palestinian talks - which collapsed in 2010 - one of his top priorities. During Wednesday's news conference, he said many of the Arab League ministers told him 'the core issue of instability in this region and in many other parts of the world is the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.'
Despite his focus on restarting the peace talks, Kerry said his discussions also covered the conflict in Syria and the tensions in Egypt.
Kerry said the presence of Iranian and Hezbollah forces in Syria, along with Russia's support, has been helping to tip the balance of power in favor of the government of Bashar al-Assad. But he said the impact would not be long-term.
He also emphasized the need for a political solution in Syria that 'promises the people of Syria a future without violence and a future with a government of their choosing.'
Kerry is weighing a possible visit to a Syrian refugee camp in Jordan before his trip ends. He would be the most senior U.S. official to survey the refugee situation, which has strained host countries like Jordan.
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