All looking for solution on Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Kerry

Image
AFP Paris
Last Updated : Mar 14 2016 | 3:22 AM IST
US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that a solution to the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict required "the global community", as France prepared to present proposals to revive the peace process to EU foreign ministers.
"Obviously we are all looking for a way forward. The United States and myself remain deeply, deeply committed to a two-state solution," Kerry said after a Paris meeting with his counterparts from France, Italy, Britain, Germany and the EU.
"At the moment it is a difficult one, because of the violence that has been taking place, and there are not many people in Israel or in the region itself right now that believe in the possibilities of peace because of those levels of violence," he added.
Kerry's comments came after his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault said he would present proposals to revive talks to EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels today.
"The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains but is getting worse, the status quo cannot last," Ayrault said in Paris.
The newly-appointed French foreign minister visited Cairo last week to drum up support for the initiative to hold an international conference by the summer to revive peace talks.
A previous round of talks brokered by Kerry collapsed in April 2014.
"...Not any one country or one person can resolve this. This is going to require the global community, it will require international support," said Kerry.
Senior French diplomat Pierre Vimont is touring Israel, the Palestinian territories and other countries in the region to discuss the proposal before heading to Washington next week.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said France was coordinating its proposals with the EU as part of "joint efforts to try and create conditions for a two-state solution".
The renewed efforts to resolve one of the world's oldest conflicts come amid a wave of violence that has seen Palestinians carry out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks against Israelis.
Since October 1, 188 Palestinians, 28 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have died, according to an AFP count.
Most of the Palestinians were killed while carrying out attacks, Israeli authorities say.
Others were shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes or demonstrations.
Many analysts say Palestinian frustration with Israeli occupation and settlement building in the West Bank, the complete lack of progress in peace efforts and their own fractured leadership have fed the unrest.
Israel blames incitement by Palestinian leaders and media as a main cause of the violence.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 14 2016 | 3:22 AM IST

Next Story