Tag u s secretary of state john kerry delivers remarks on middle east peace at the department of state in washington december 28

Here are the remarks delivered by US Secretary of State John Kerry on Middle East peace at the Department of State in Washington on December 28:

Secretary Kerry's Remarks on Middle East Peace

[December 28, 2016]

Thank you, thank you. Good afternoon, everyone. I want to start by saying that I am deeply troubled by the current state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The lack of progress, the violence, the suffering, the displacement – it's all deeply troubling.

As we gather here today, I want to be clear: the United States remains committed to a two-state solution. We believe that the only way to achieve a lasting peace is through the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state, living alongside the State of Israel in peace and security.

Now, I know that this is not a new idea. We've been working towards this goal for decades. But I also know that the current situation is dire. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not just a humanitarian crisis; it's also a national security crisis for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The violence is escalating, and it's not just the violence itself that's the problem – it's the underlying causes. The lack of hope, the lack of trust, the lack of progress on the core issues – all of these things are fueling the conflict.

So what can we do? First, we need to acknowledge the reality on the ground. The status quo is unsustainable. The occupation is unsustainable. The settlements are unsustainable. We need to work towards a solution that addresses the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Second, we need to support the parties in their efforts to negotiate a peace agreement. We've been working closely with both Israelis and Palestinians to try to get them back to the table. We've made progress, but we still have a long way to go.

Third, we need to address the humanitarian crisis. The situation in Gaza is dire. The situation in the West Bank is dire. We need to provide humanitarian aid, we need to support the Palestinian economy, and we need to work towards a more sustainable solution.

Fourth, we need to support the Arab Peace Initiative. This is a critical component of any peace agreement. The Arab world is ready to normalize relations with Israel, but they need to see progress on the core issues.

And finally, we need to recognize that the United States has a critical role to play in this process. We've been a consistent partner to both Israelis and Palestinians for decades. We've provided billions of dollars in aid, we've provided diplomatic support, and we've provided military support.

But we also need to be honest with ourselves. We can't do it alone. We need the parties to take ownership of this process. We need the international community to support us. And we need to be willing to make tough decisions and take risks to achieve a lasting peace.

So what's the way forward? I believe that we need to work towards a framework agreement that addresses the core issues – borders, security, settlements, refugees, and Jerusalem. We need to work towards a framework that is fair, that is just, and that is sustainable.

And I believe that we can do it. I believe that with hard work, with determination, and with a commitment to peace, we can achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East.

Thank you.

[Applause]