Portrait of John Kerry
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John Kerry on Gaza

Two-state solution advocate (strong)

TL;DR

John Kerry strongly advocates for a two-state solution as the only path to lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Key Points

  • In 2014, he facilitated a 72-hour unconditional humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and planned for subsequent talks in Cairo to address underlying issues.

  • He expressed candid frustration over Israeli military action in Gaza in 2014, calling it a "hell of a pinpoint operation" when speaking privately to an aide.

  • During his tenure, John Kerry voiced firm opposition to Israeli settlement expansion, calling the West Bank situation an occupation and warning it imperils the two-state solution.

Summary

As Secretary of State, John Kerry strongly maintained that the two-state solution remains the only path to achieving a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, essential for Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state and for Palestinian dignity. He argued that the status quo, driven by settlement expansion, risks an irreversible one-state reality, which he described as leading toward a scenario that is "separate and unequal" for Palestinians. He explicitly stated that this status quo is in nobody's interest, including that of the United States, and that he could not in good conscience allow the viable two-state solution to be destroyed.

His tenure involved active diplomacy, including pushing parameters for a peace deal and allowing a UN resolution condemning settlements to pass, which he argued was necessary to preserve the two-state possibility despite past administrations having allowed similar critical resolutions. In 2014, amid conflict, he worked to secure a 72-hour unconditional humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, enabling aid delivery and setting the stage for subsequent negotiations in Cairo concerning underlying causes. More recently, he has continued to stress the importance of inclusive, peaceful protest regarding the ongoing conflict and reiterated that settlements in the West Bank constitute an occupation.

Frequently Asked Questions

John Kerry has recently continued to advocate for peaceful and 'inclusive' forms of protest related to the Israel-Gaza war, emphasizing the need to translate fury into productive engagement. He maintains his long-standing core belief that a two-state solution is the necessary outcome for lasting peace in the region. He has also stated that the situation in the West Bank must be called an occupation.

During the 2014 conflict, John Kerry publicly affirmed Israel's right to defend itself against tunnel attacks while simultaneously expressing serious concern over growing Palestinian civilian casualties. He was later confronted over private remarks caught on tape where he described the operation as a "hell of a pinpoint operation."

John Kerry's fundamental position remains strongly centered on the necessity of a two-state solution, which he has promoted for decades, according to archival records. However, his actions in late 2016, such as allowing a UN resolution critical of settlements to pass, marked a significant diplomatic shift from previous U.S. positions.