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Kerry cautions over the consequences of peace deal failure
US Secretary of State John Kerry warned last night of serious potential consequences if Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) fail to reach a peace agreement.
Kerry was in the region this week to attempt to soothe tensions between the two sides which have marred recent peace talks. Both sides have accused the other of dishonesty regarding an Israeli announcement last week to advance construction plans beyond the pre-1967 borders. Yesterday evening Kerry gave an in-depth interview to Channel Two’s political correspondent Udi Segal and Palestinian journalist Maher Shalabi, in which he warned “The alternative to getting back to the talks is the potential of chaos,” asking “Does Israel want a third intifada?”
Kerry predicted a scenario in which “If we don’t solve this issue, the Arab world and the Palestinians… are going to begin again to push in a different way, and the last thing Israel wants to see is a return to violence.” Adding that Israel should make peace “with a leadership that is committed to non-violence,” or else it “may wind up with leadership that is committed to violence.” Kerry further warned that failure to end the conflict will lead to “an increasing isolation of Israel… an increasing campaign of delegitimization of Israel… on an international basis.”
However, during a press conference yesterday in Amman alongside Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Kerry did assure that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas have “reaffirmed their commitment to these negotiations despite the fact that at moments there are obviously tensions.”
In an apparent response to Kerry’s comments, Israel’s Defence Minister said at a public address last night, “we shall conduct things wisely, without worrying about threats of whether or not there will be a third intifada.” Yediot Ahronot reports that Ya’alon pointed an accusing finger at the PA saying “I’ve never heard any Palestinian leadership… willing to consider any territorial compromise… and to recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people.”