Erdan calls John Kerry's upcoming Middle East peace speech 'pathetic'

The US secretary of state is expected to make remarks on the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Wednesday.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

DECEMBER 28, 2016 01:26

Updated: DECEMBER 28, 2016 10:26

US Secretary of State John Kerry waves as he heads home after a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, November 24 (photo credit: REUTERS) — US Secretary of State John Kerry waves as he heads home after a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, November 24

(photo credit: REUTERS)

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan criticized US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday night, shortly after it was announced that he would give a speech on Middle East peace.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said that on Wednesday, Kerry will make remarks regarding Middle East peace and discuss the next steps he sees as needed to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"It's pathetic to present a [peace] plan at the last minute when he hasn't managed to change anything for his entire time in office," Erdan said late on Tuesday night.

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"It's unfortunate that the Obama Administration, that erred for years in the Middle East, is trying to make sure that the chaos will last far past its tenure," Erdan said. "Kerry's speech on parameters right before the end of his tenure will ensure that the Palestinians won't agree to any sort of negotiations [with Israel] in the coming years and will push off chances of advancing peace."

Toner rejected claims that the Obama administration had pushed for a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlement building. The United States abstained in the Security Council decision, which passed with 14 votes in favor.

"There was nothing pre-cooked, this was not some move orchestrated by the United States," Toner said.

Following the controversial move at the UNSC, Jerusalem lashed out at the Obama administration, accusing Washington of stabbing "Israel in the back."

Reuters contributed to this report.