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Kerry and Abbas meet in New York, discuss two-state solution
The US Secretary of State met the Palestinian Authority (PA) President in New York yesterday.
John Kerry and Mahmoud Abbas are in the city attending the United Nation Nation’s General Assembly, and met on the sidelines of the conference.
US State Department spokesman John Kirby said: “The Secretary and President Abbas discussed regional challenges and constructive ideas for the way forward to support our shared goal of a two-state solution.”
He added: “Kerry stressed the United States’ commitment to this issue and his concern over trends on the ground, including the recent surge in violence and settlement activity.” And
He also explained that the two leaders “agreed on the importance of continuing to work with key partners to advance the prospects for peace while opposing all efforts that would undermine that goal”.
The Palestinian Wafa news agency said that Kerry and Abbas discussed “the political process and international efforts”. The meeting is also reported to have been attended by other senior Palestinian officials, including PLO Executive Committee Secretary General Saeb Erakat, PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki and Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to New York today for the UN General Assembly. He is scheduled to address the forum on Thursday, as is Abbas and Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.
Tomorrow, Netanyahu is set to meet US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Netanyahu’s office said that he will thank Obama following last week’s signing of a new ten-year military aid package and that he also intends to discuss “the challenges and opportunities in the Middle East and the way to advancing peace and security together”.
While in New York, Netanyahu is also due to meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, plus the heads of African states at a special event highlighting Israeli technology being utilized in Africa.
Netanyahu is reportedly being accompanied on his trip by Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and fellow Kulanu MK Michael Oren, who is a former Israeli Ambassador to the United States.