Kerry arrives in Jerusalem for another round of peace talks

JERUSALEM – U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry arrived in Jerusalem on Thursday to begin another round of meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, his 10th visit since taking office with the intent of renewing Middle East peace negotiations.

At a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of their meeting, Kerry recalled comments he made at the end of one of his recent trips, that the time leaders will have to make difficult decisions was nearing. “We are close to that time, if not at it,” he said.

More than five months into the process, “it is safe to say that we know what the issues are,” Kerry said.

Kerry said he will spend the next few days working intensely with the Israelis and Palestinians to narrow differences on a framework for future negotiations on such core issues as “borders, security, refugees, Jerusalem, mutual recognition and the end of conflict and all claims.”

Kerry is expected to hold separate meetings with Israeli leaders and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas over the next few days.