If Israel and the Palestinians don't reach a peace agreement now, the opportunity to do so could be lost forever, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry said at U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar on Saturday.
"Undoubtedly the most crucial and most vexing of all issues is how we can revitalize a Mideast peace process that delivers peace,not just process,because if we don't do it now, the door may well shut forever," Kerry said.
Speaking about Israel's desire to see ties with Arab nations warm as part of the peace process with the Palestinian Authority, Kerry said that the "Arab world cannot simply wait for Israeli-Palestinian peace before improving relations with Israel."
"Building trust must be a step-by-step process, and the region must recognize Israel's desire for acceptance and its fundamental need for security. And perhaps most importantly, the leading voices in the Arab world have a vital role to play with their people in creating the atmosphere for lasting peace with Israel," Kerry said.
"Undoubtedly the most crucial and most vexing of all issues is how we can revitalize a Mideast peace process that delivers peace,not just process,because if we don't do it now, the door may well shut forever," Kerry said.
Speaking about Israel's desire to see ties with Arab nations warm as part of the peace process with the Palestinian Authority, Kerry said that the "Arab world cannot simply wait for Israeli-Palestinian peace before improving relations with Israel."
"Building trust must be a step-by-step process, and the region must recognize Israel's desire for acceptance and its fundamental need for security. And perhaps most importantly, the leading voices in the Arab world have a vital role to play with their people in creating the atmosphere for lasting peace with Israel," Kerry said.