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         Kerry Urges Hard Decisions After Israeli-Palestinian Meetings

   by VOA News

   The United States' top diplomat is again urging Israeli and Palestinian
   leaders to drop all preconditions and restart peace talks.
   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry ended his fourth visit in three
   months to Israel and the Palestinian territories, calling on leaders to
   make the hard choices needed to revive the peace process.
   "It is really is a question of whether Israel and the Palestinians make
   the choices. And the United States of America, through President Barack
   Obama, is completely at the disposal of both parties to try to help to
   bridge the divide," Kerry said.
   The secretary of state spoke Thursday after meeting with Israeli
   President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem.  Kerry also warned both sides
   against getting caught up in an argument that "takes you so long that
   you never get to the negotiations that bring about a final settlement."
   The remarks were not likely to please the Palestinians who say they
   will return to the negotiations only if Israel stops building new
   Jewish housing in the West Bank and releases all political prisoners.
   Photo Gallery: Kerry in Middle East

   ''
   During his visit, Kerry met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
   Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other
   leaders, part of his effort to restart Middle East peace talks that
   have been largely stalled over the past four years.
   Israeli President Shimon Peres pledged Israel's support for reviving
   talks.
   "If you will succeed, it will be our success. If you will miss, we
   shall miss," he remarked. "We shall stand on your side all the way. You
   have a mission of peace, which concerns all of us. Israelis,
   Palestinians, old and young, mothers and children."

   Kerry's diplomacy over the past two months has been aimed at achieving
   small concessions that could encourage the two sides to adopt more
   flexible positions to allow direct talks to resume.

   ''During his visit to the region, Kerry attended a conference in Jordan
   supporting Syria's opposition that reiterated its support for a
   negotiated solution to the conflict in Syria. It also pledged to
   increase its support for Syrian rebels until a political transition
   begins.

   Before departing Kerry commented on the upcoming presidential elections
   in Iran, saying that the elimination of hundreds of candidates by
   Iran's Guardian Council, whose members are appointed by the government,
   is not a free and fair process.
   Kerry's next stop is Ethiopia for a two-day meeting of leaders of the
   African Union.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-urges-hard-decisions-after-israeli-palestinian-meetings/1667573.html