Kerry: US committed to advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks

US secretary of state: Settlements have "disturbed" views of talks.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Kerry in Cairo 370 (photo credit: REUTERS/Jason Reed)
Kerry in Cairo 370
(photo credit: REUTERS/Jason Reed)
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday said Washington was committed to advancing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and he was hopeful progress would be made in the coming months, AFP reported.
"I am hopeful within the next months that we can make progress and I ask people everywhere to keep their minds open, to speak the language of peace, not hatred, not war... but the possibilities of what peace could bring to everybody," AFP quoted Kerry as saying at a news conference in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy.
"I believe there is an ability to move forward, but we have to remain calm and dedicated and committed to a quiet process by which difficult decisions can be discussed," he said to reporters.
While attempting to quell fears that the recently renewed talks between the two sides were faltering, Kerry called for the world to allow space for negotiators to conduct their work.
"I believe there is an ability to move forward, but we have to remain calm and dedicated and committed to a quiet process by which difficult decisions can be discussed," AFP quoted him as saying.
Kerry acknowledged a recent Israeli announcement that it would advance new settlement building in east Jerusalem as affecting views on the process.
"There is no doubt... that the settlements have disturbed people's perceptions of whether or not people are serious and are moving in the right direction," he said.
Kerry was due to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories following his first visit to Egypt since the country's military deposed President Mohamed Morsi.