John Kerry promotes 2-state solution in speech outlining Obama administration's vision for Israel, Palestine

published 28 December 2016

Secretary of State John Kerry presented the Obama administration's final vision for Israel and Palestine and "address[ed] some of the misleading critiques" in a speech Wednesday at the State Department in Washington, D.C. In his remarks, Kerry argued for a two-state solution, claiming that this goal was the driving force behind the U.S.'s decision to abstain last week from a controversial U.N. vote that ultimately resolved to condemn Israel's West Bank settlements.

"No American administration has done more for Israel's security than Barack Obama's," Kerry said, adding firmly that "if the choice is one state, Israel can either be Jewish or democratic. It cannot be both. And it won't ever really be at peace."

The New York Times notes that it is unclear what Kerry's goal is with his speech, other than to lay out his principles, as President-elect Donald Trump insisted Wednesday that "we cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect." Referring to his inauguration next month, Trump also tweeted, "Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!"

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.