John Kerry (file)
John Kerry (file)Reuters

US Secretary of State John Kerry said that in his opinion, it is possible for Israel and the PA to come to political agreements in the coming months, before US President Obama leaves his office.

Kerry began his meeting with Netanyahu by saying that the US is concerned about security and stability in the Middle East, and feels obligated to protect the two-state solution.

"We hope to find a way to take advantage of our friendship and advance what we believe to be the top priority in ensuring Israel's security and creating new relationships in the area," Kerry said.

At the beginning of the meeting, Netanyahu said that his meeting with Obama was "excellent" and that he was happy to continue it with Kerry, whom he often speaks to by telephone. Netanyahu also emphasized the importance of being upfront regarding methods of bringing peace and stability to the area.

Members of the Middle East Quartet reiterated their opposition to Jewish building in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Their opinion that building "over the Green Line" must be stopped was also mentioned in a notice publicized by representatives of the US, Russia, the UN, and the EU.

The Quartet emphasized its opposition to "settlement activities," which it sees an "obstacle" to the "peace process."

"We are deeply concerned by the accelerated building in 'settlements,' and their expansion continues to erode the possibility of a two-state solution," they wrote.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, in is UN speech, made it clear that "settlements" are not the obstacle to peace, Abbas' intransigence is.