The US Secretary of State John Kerry warned that Israeli-Palestinian peace talks faced difficulties however he believed something is possible.
Addressing crowds at a memorial event for the former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated by a right wing Israeli in 2005, Kerry said:
"I come here without any illusions about the difficulties, but I come here determined to work,"
"We believe this is something that is possible and that it's good for all and can be achieved,"
Mr Abbas' spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rdeineh, criticised the on-going Israeli settlement expansion, asserting that a "firm American position" was required.
Rdeineh said:
"What's required is a firm American position on Israel's provocations. Israel is continuing its policy of putting obstacles in front of the peace process - every time Kerry comes to the region they announce more settlements."
Meanwhile, Netanyahu told an Israeli news channel:
"If they can't even ... stand beside and behind the agreements that we had, that we release prisoners but we continue building, then how can I see that they'll actually stand by the larger issues?"
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