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December 29, 2016

Secretary of State Kerry Blasts Israel over Illegal Settlements
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In Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Secretary of State John Kerry blasted
Israel's government, saying in a major address that the relentless
expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank threatens
Israel's democracy and has all but ended the prospect of a two-state
solution with the Palestinians.

Secretary of State John Kerry: "Despite our best efforts over the years,
the two-state solution is now in serious jeopardy. The truth is that
trends on the ground-violence, terrorism, incitement, settlement
expansion and the seemingly endless occupation-they are combining to
destroy hopes for peace on both sides and increasingly cementing an
irreversible one-state reality that most people do not actually want."

Kerry's speech followed intense Israeli criticism of the U.S. for
refusing to veto a Security Council resolution last week. The measure
condemns Israel's expansion of settlements as a flagrant violation of
international law. Kerry insisted the U.S. had not abandoned its
longtime ally, but said Israeli democracy would not survive under a
single state.

Secretary of State John Kerry: "But here is a fundamental reality: If
the choice is one state, Israel can either be Jewish or democratic; it
cannot be both. And it won't ever really be at peace."

In the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he was
willing to resume peace talks in exchange for a halt to settlement
construction. This is chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

Saeb Erekat: "Mr. Netanyahu knows very well that he has the choice:
settlements or peace. He can't have both. Settlements are illegal under
international law. Settlements are a flagrant violation to international
law. Settlements are the antidote for the two-state solution."



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