US Secretary of State John Kerry gave a speech on Wednesday warning that the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine is in "serious jeopardy".
In what has been called the Obama administration’s “parting shot”, Kerry criticized Israeli settlement activities in unusually strong terms and put forward his principles for a future final status agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to blast Kerry’s speech which he described as “unbalanced”, suggesting that it failed to deal with the key issues.
The Palestinian response, however, has been more muted.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a statement following Kerry’s speech reiterating "his commitment to a just and lasting peace as a strategic option."
Abbas also said that “The minute the Israeli government agrees to cease all settlement activities [...] the Palestinian leadership stands ready to resume permanent status negotiations on the basis of international law.”
Meanwhile, many Palestinian and Arab intellectuals have criticized Kerry’s speech for being too little, too late. In fact, The New York Times has reported that Kerry had been prevented from giving a similar speech two years ago by a White House wary of provoking Netanyahu's anger.
Palestinian writer and commentator, Azmi Bishara:
لو ألقى كيري خطابه وأعلن إعلانه عن "الحل" وهو قادم وليس وهو مغادر، لكان يستحق النقد والتعليق. وفيه ما يستحق النقد.
— عزمي بشارة (@AzmiBishara) December 29, 2016
If Kerry had given this speech, and made his announcement about the "solution" when he was coming [into power] not when he was leaving, then it would have been worthy of criticism and comment. And there are things in it that need criticizing.
London-based Palestinian journalist, Abdelbari Atwan:
لا تنخدعوا بدموع #كيري على حل الدولتين ولا تصدقوا تعاطفه مع الفلسطينيين..ولا تفرشوا له السجاد الاحمر بالعواصم العربيةhttps://t.co/7blAIHgItz
— عبد الباري عطوان (@abdelbariatwan) December 28, 2016
Do not be fooled by the #Kerry's tears on the two-state solution and do not believe his sympathy for Palestine...and don't lay out the red carpet for him in Arab capitals.
Mohamed Rachid, journalist and adviser to former Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat:
أفكار #كيري فيها مكاسب كثيرة لإسرائيل، و فيها أيضا وعود لفلسطين، لكنها لن تدعم من #ترامب، #عباس، #نتنياهو، السلام لازال بعيدا في عام 2017 !
— Mohamed Rachid (@MBRachid) December 29, 2016
Yesterday is repeating itself, [Bill] Clinton announced his project for Israeli-Palestinian peace 27 days before leaving power, and #Kerry declares his 22 days before he leaves power!!!
Palestinian blogger and activist, Abir Kopty
In the US you dare to become critical on Israel only when you lose power, or you have no power to lose! #KerrySpeech #JohnKerry
— Abir Kopty (@AbirKopty) December 28, 2016
Kerry still wants to "preserve the two state solution"..
— Abir Kopty (@AbirKopty) December 28, 2016
again, the illusion to preserve something dead! #Kerryspeech #JohnKerry
Ordinary Palestinians were equally pessimistic in their comments on social media:
I want to mention here that these words are nothing more than media bubbles from the Americans. The situation is purely one of changing roles, so whatever Kerry and Obama say will come to an end with the arrival of Trump.
And what is the benefit of these words when your time in office is over?
It is widely expected that the Trump administration will implement a turnaround in US policy on Israel-Palestine. He has already given a glimpse of his future policy in the region with his choice of Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, who is a supporter of West Bank settlement construction. Trump has also hinted that once in power he will move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
In response to Kerry’s speech, Trump yesterday tweeted his criticism, adding “stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!”
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