BICOM

US Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday that he believes there will eventually have to be an accommodation between Israel and the Palestinians, but for the time being Israel’s government is correct in its approach towards the expected Palestinian unity government.

Speaking during a PBS interview broadcast last night, Kerry said that he was “disappointed” that the nine-month talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) which be brokered and spearheaded “didn’t produce the next step.”

A major factor in the breakdown of talks was the announcement by Abbas’s Fatah faction and Hamas that they intend to form a unity government. Hamas remains committed to Israel’s destruction and is classified as a terror organisation by the United States and European Union. Israel’s government has made it clear it will not negotiate with a government supported by Hamas, unless the organisation repudiates violence and embraces peace.

Kerry said that, “Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel are waiting to see what happens with the Hamas reconciliation, with the announcement of a new government, with the question of what that new government may or may not choose to do.” He further commented, “That’s an appropriate thing to be doing … We’re all waiting to see what happens.”

Taking a longer-term perspective, Kerry said, “My reality check tells me that neither side is going to be able to live for the long haul with the status quo without serious problems evolving. So eventually, there’ll have to be some discussion about some management of that process.” However, he added, “Whether it’s a full-blown peace process or whether it’s individual steps or not, I don’t know.” Nonetheless, Kerry did contend that, “Israel’s security, which is paramount for the United States and for Israelis, will be better protected by finding a road ahead.”

Kerry’s interview on the subject came just a day after US President Barack Obama delivered a major foreign policy address, which did not mention the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.