AP
US Secretary of State John Kerry jokes with Norwegian Foreign Minister
Borge Brende during their meeting on Thursday, at the State Department
in Washington.
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday called on
the Israelis and Palestinians to make compromises so as to forward the
stalled peace talks.
The fresh appeal from the top
American envoy came as Israel’s security cabinet decided to suspend the
negotiations in response to ongoing reconciliation efforts between rival
Palestinian factions of Fatah and Hamas, Xinhua reported.
“There’s
always a way forward, but leaders have to make the compromises
necessary to do that,” Mr. Kerry told reporters before meeting with
Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende at the State Department.
“We may see a way forward, but if they’re not willing to make the compromises necessary, it becomes very elusive.”
Washington
is trying its best to extend the negotiations that were restarted in
late July last year and supposed to end by April 29 with an agreement on
all the core issues like security, border, the status of Jerusalem and
refugees.
The talks came to a deadlock after Israel
refused to release by late March last group of 26 Palestinian prisoners
as agreed, and the Palestinians responded by renewing their efforts to
apply for joining 15 UN agencies and conventions.
Fatah
and Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, announced a reconciliation deal
on Wednesday, in which they agreed to start discussions to form a unity
government within five weeks, and hold elections within six months after
the formation of the unity government.
The deal has drawn rebuke from Israel and the US as both have branded Hamas a terrorist organisation.
“We
will never give up our hope or our commitment for the possibilities of
peace,” Mr. Kerry said. “We believe it is the only way to go. But right
now, obviously, it’s at a very difficult point, and the leaders
themselves have to make decisions.”
Mr. Kerry spoke
to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas over the phone on Thursday,
reiterating US principles regarding a Palestinian government, namely
commitment to non-violence, recognition of the State of Israel, and
acceptance of previous agreements reached with Israel, State Department
spokesperson Jennifer Psaki said.
“Our position as
the United States government, outside of the peace process, has long
been that any unified government would have to abide by these
principles,” Ms. Psaki told reporters at a regular press briefing.
She
said Mr. Kerry and Mr. Abbas also discussed ongoing efforts to extend
the negotiations, and the US team led by special envoy Martin Indyk
“remains on the ground” and “in close touch” with both parties.
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