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| John Kerry acknowledges failures over Israeli-Palestinian peace process | John Kerry acknowledges failures over Israeli-Palestinian peace process |
| (6 days later) | |
| The US secretary of state, John Kerry, has acknowledged years of disappointment over the Israeli-Palestinian peace process at the start of his fourth recent visit to the area, but added that he hoped to confound sceptics and cynics. | The US secretary of state, John Kerry, has acknowledged years of disappointment over the Israeli-Palestinian peace process at the start of his fourth recent visit to the area, but added that he hoped to confound sceptics and cynics. |
| Kerry met the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and won strong support for his peace mission from the British foreign secretary, William Hague, who is also visiting the Middle East. | Kerry met the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and won strong support for his peace mission from the British foreign secretary, William Hague, who is also visiting the Middle East. |
| Speaking in Jerusalem, Kerry said: "I know this region well enough to know there is scepticism; in some quarters there is cynicism and there are reasons for it. There have been bitter years of disappointment. It is our hope that by being methodical, careful, patient - but detailed and tenacious - that we can lay on a path ahead that can conceivably surprise people and certainly exhaust the possibilities of peace." | Speaking in Jerusalem, Kerry said: "I know this region well enough to know there is scepticism; in some quarters there is cynicism and there are reasons for it. There have been bitter years of disappointment. It is our hope that by being methodical, careful, patient - but detailed and tenacious - that we can lay on a path ahead that can conceivably surprise people and certainly exhaust the possibilities of peace." |
| He praised Netanyahu's seriousness in trying to find ways back to the negotiating table. Later he and Abbas discussed their "shared commitment to the peace effort", a statement said. | He praised Netanyahu's seriousness in trying to find ways back to the negotiating table. Later he and Abbas discussed their "shared commitment to the peace effort", a statement said. |
| Both sides have said they want to see Kerry's efforts succeed. The Palestinians claim that the secretary of state has asked to be given until 7 June to make progress, and they have agreed to refrain from pursuing their statehood claims at international bodies until then. | Both sides have said they want to see Kerry's efforts succeed. The Palestinians claim that the secretary of state has asked to be given until 7 June to make progress, and they have agreed to refrain from pursuing their statehood claims at international bodies until then. |
| On the Israeli side, an unannounced de facto moratorium on settlement expansion has been marred by a move to retroactively authorise four West Bank outposts and to press ahead with 300 new homes in the settlement of Beit El. | On the Israeli side, an unannounced de facto moratorium on settlement expansion has been marred by a move to retroactively authorise four West Bank outposts and to press ahead with 300 new homes in the settlement of Beit El. |
| Most diplomats and observers are cautious about Kerry's chances of success. However, earlier this week the Palestinian chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, hinted at some slow progress, saying: "Mr Kerry is keeping things [close to] his chest. He likes to work very, very, very below the radar and grow things like mushrooms." | Most diplomats and observers are cautious about Kerry's chances of success. However, earlier this week the Palestinian chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, hinted at some slow progress, saying: "Mr Kerry is keeping things [close to] his chest. He likes to work very, very, very below the radar and grow things like mushrooms." |
| Speaking to a United Nations committee in New York, Erekat described the situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as "apartheid - worse than that which existed in South Africa". | Speaking to a United Nations committee in New York, Erekat described the situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as "apartheid - worse than that which existed in South Africa". |
| The growth of Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are illegal under international law, remain a major stumbling block to renewing talks. The Palestinians want construction to stop before re-entering negotiations while Israel insists it has the right to increase the settler population. | The growth of Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are illegal under international law, remain a major stumbling block to renewing talks. The Palestinians want construction to stop before re-entering negotiations while Israel insists it has the right to increase the settler population. |
| Hague, on a two-day visit to the region, said the peace process was "an urgent priority for the United Kingdom and the world", and welcomed the "very strong commitment" of the United States to resume negotiations. | Hague, on a two-day visit to the region, said the peace process was "an urgent priority for the United Kingdom and the world", and welcomed the "very strong commitment" of the United States to resume negotiations. |
| "My visit is in support of those efforts," he said. "We urge all parties to move the process forward and to really give the bold and decisive leadership that will allow success." Peace was necessary, just and possible, he added. | "My visit is in support of those efforts," he said. "We urge all parties to move the process forward and to really give the bold and decisive leadership that will allow success." Peace was necessary, just and possible, he added. |
| The foreign secretary visited a Bedouin community, Khan al-Ahmar, on the eastern edge of Jerusalem, whose homes, school and animal shelters are under a demolition order from the Israeli authorities. | The foreign secretary visited a Bedouin community, Khan al-Ahmar, on the eastern edge of Jerusalem, whose homes, school and animal shelters are under a demolition order from the Israeli authorities. |
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