Kerry slams ‘broad and systematic’ settlement growth

Kerry says there is “absolutely no justification” for terrorism, noting the hundreds of attacks in the past year.

He says “the murderers of innocents are glorified on Fatah websites.”

Kerry says the Palestinian leadership renounces terrorism, but sends a “different message” by naming public squares after terrorists.

Kerry says the US has condemned the “wholly unbalanced and inflammatory UNESCO resolution on Jerusalem” and urged the Palestinians not to pursue legal action at the ICC.

Hamas “continues to pursue an extremist agenda,” and denies Israel’s right to exist, Kerry says. He discusses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “And yet despite the urgency of these needs, Hamas and other militant groups continue to rearm,” he says, “threatening attacks on Israeli civilians — that no government can tolerate.”

Kerry says Israel’s coalition is “the most right-wing in Israel’s history” and is “driven by the most extreme elements.”

On the West Bank, Kerry says Israel has reversed transitions to ultimately relinquish control to Palestinians.

“I don’t think people in Israel or in the world” realize “how broad and the systematic” the trend has become, he says, noting the growth of settler population.

He says population of distant settlements grew by 20,000. Kerry says Israel just approved a new settlement “closer to Jordan” than Israel. What does that tell the Palestinians about Israel’s commitment to peace? he says.

He says “of course” settlements are not the core of the conflict. “Let’s be clear, settlement expansion has nothing to do with Israel’s security,” he says.