John Kerry Says Israeli, Palestinian Leaders at Pivotal Point

Boston: US Secretary of State John Kerry today said Israeli and Palestinian leaders have reached a pivotal point and it was now up to them to make important decisions that will lead to lasting peace.

Kerry arrived in Boston from a one-day visit to the Middle East that included discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"We are very concerned about the violence and the potential for the situation to spin out of control," Kerry told reporters.

"I think we may be reaching a pivotal point now where both sides have important decisions to make for the future, and we obviously hope they make choices that will advance the prospects for lasting peace," he said before leaving for the long US Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Kerry added that the United States has been encouraging both sides to take "affirmative steps" to reduce tensions and show genuine commitments to a two-state solution.

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Kerry described a wave of Palestinian knife and car-ramming attacks as "acts of terrorism" that must be condemned.

On Tuesday, a Palestinian drove his car into three Israeli soldiers and a paramilitary border policeman along a road in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, injuring all four, the army said.

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