'Kerry warns if peace talks fail, Israel may become apartheid state'

According to The Daily Beast, US Secretary of State said a change in Israeli or Palestinian leadership could favor peace talks.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Netanyahu and Kerry, March 31, 2014. (photo credit: DAVID AZAGURY, US EMBASSY TEL AVIV)
Netanyahu and Kerry, March 31, 2014.
(photo credit: DAVID AZAGURY, US EMBASSY TEL AVIV)
US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned that in the absence of a two-state solution, Israel risks becoming an apartheid state, The Daily Beast news site reported early Monday morning.
Kerry reportedly made the remarks on Friday to the Trilateral Commission in a closed-door meeting, a recording of which was obtained by The Daily Beast. The commission was formed in 1973 by private citizens of Japan, Europe and North America to foster closer cooperation between these regions.
 
According to The Daily Beast, Kerry also reiterated that failure of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations could result in a resumption of Palestinian violence against Israelis.
He apparently placed the blame on both sides for the crumbling of peace talks, slammed Israeli settlement construction, and opined that a change in either the Israeli or the Palestinian government could increase the possibility of achieving peace.
“A two-state solution will be clearly underscored as the only real alternative. Because a unitary state winds up either being an apartheid state with second class citizens—or it ends up being a state that destroys the capacity of Israel to be a Jewish state,” The Daily Beast quoted Kerry as saying, suggesting that he may offer his own peace deal as a final option.
Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham H. Foxman responded Monday to the reports, saying he was shocked Kerry used such a word, even if it was said  concern for Israel's peace and security.
"It is startling and deeply disappointing that a diplomat so knowledgeable and experienced about democratic Israel chose to use such an inaccurate and incendiary term," Foxman said.
"Even if he used the repugnant language of Israel's adversaries and accusers to express concern for Israel's future, it was undiplomatic, unwise and unfair. Such references are not seen as expressions of friendship and support."
The Jerusalem Post could not independently confirm the veracity of the Daily Beast report.