Palestinians and Israelis decide to accelerate peace negotiations

US Secretary of State John Kerry has announced that both the Palestinian and Israeli sides have agreed to accelerate the pace of current peace negotiations and to extend the US role in the process.

Kerry’s statement followed an aid committee meeting of representatives from donor states on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

According to Kerry, in this round of the negotiations the Palestinians and Israelis have held seven meetings thus far that addressed all permanent status issues, including borders, security, refugees and the status of Jerusalem.

Kerry said that, “the international mobilization to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian issue is clear evidence of the international community’s commitment to the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. I believe that everyone knows well that a two-state solution is the only way to move forward.”