Kerry fears Israeli-Palestinian conflict may `spin out of control`

AFP, Boston :US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Wednesday that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is at a “pivotal point” and could worsen beyond repair unless both sides make rapid compromises.”As you know, we’re very concerned about the violence and the potential for the situation to spin out of control,” Kerry told reporters as he arrived home in Boston after visiting leaders from both sides in Jerusalem.”Over these past months we have been encouraging the parties to take affirmative steps to reduce tensions and demonstrate a genuine commitment to a two state solution.”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 that they make choices that will advance the prospects for lasting peace.”Kerry met with both Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Tuesday in Jerusalem and Ramallah to urge both to take steps to calm tensions after a spate of unrest. But he left without a concrete breakthrough and said he would continue to press both leaders on the issue in coming weeks.Meanwhile, a Palestinian tried to stab Israeli border police in the northern West Bank on Thursday but was shot and killed before harming anyone, police said.”An attacker got out of a taxi with a knife” at Tapuah junction near Nablus, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said in a statement. “Forces responded by firing shots at him, resulting in his death.”The Palestinian health ministry confirmed his death, identifying him as Samer Hassan Siresee, 51. He was the second Palestinian killed on Thursday after Yahya Taha, 21, was shot in the head by Israeli security forces during clashes northwest of Jerusalem, the health ministry said.The deaths bring to 96 the number of Palestinians killed in violence since October 1, including an Arab Israeli.Around half of them have been alleged perpetrators of a wave of stabbing, shooting and car ramming attacks. Others have died in clashes with security forces. The violence has also left 17 Israelis, an American and an Eritrean dead.More than 800 Palestinians have been arrested over the past two months, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon told public radio on Thursday.