Islam Times - US Unprecedentedly Slams Israeli Regime over Illegal Settlements

Islam Times - In an unprecedented harsh criticism of Israeli regime over its illegal settlements, US foreign minister warned they should make their choice between the so-called two-state solution and illigal settlements.

Speaking at the annual Saban Forum hosted by the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, John Kerry said “Israel cannot have both”.

"There is no status quo. It is getting worse," said Kerry, referring to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "It is moving in the wrong direction."

Slamming Israeli ignorance of all negative consequences of its projects, Kerry said Tel Aviv is nonetheless "ignoring all our warnings regarding settlements".

"There is a basic choice that has to be made by Israelis, by the leadership of Israel and that is are there going to be continued settlements, is there going to be a continued implementation of settlement policy, or is there going to be separation and the creation of two states?"

The US foreign minister described himself the “unapologetic friend” of Tel Aviv and said the "tipping point" between the alternatives had not yet been crossed.

The comments are some of the sternest to date from the US, Israeli regime's staunchest ally on the international stage.

The Obama administration recently agreed to increase Israeli foreign military financing to $3.8 billion per year for the next decade, from $3.1 billion.

Kerry emphasized that settlements are a "barrier to peace" with the Palestinians.