John Kerry

In President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad, I am convinced we have genuine partners for peace.

When President Abbas says he doesn't want to engage in direct negotiations, we may lament it, but this is the cry of the last true believer, on the Palestinian side, in negotiations.

Do we truly believe that a Palestinian national movement, as divided, fragmented, and unwieldy as it is today, is in a position to sign a historic agreement, to implement it, and to sell it to its people? I believe not.

There are two critical populations which have essentially been excluded from the peace process but whose views are critical for the process's success.

A settlement must emerge from negotiations between the two sides.

I think it's time, after 43 years from the 1967 war, that the United States articulated our own views on the way this conflict should end.

I recognize the importance of Gilad Shalit to the Israeli people.

America's role is vital, but we must all be partners in this effort.

It is really quite surprising that we are hesitant to express our views and let the sides in the Middle East understand where the United States is coming from.

A contiguous Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with land swaps, security guarantees for Israel, a capital for both states in Jerusalem, significant compensation for refugees, with a right of return to Palestine, and any resettlement…

When Prime Minister Netanyahu calls for Palestinian recognition of a Jewish state, or when he calls for much more stringent security measures than had been in place, these may be his personal thoughts, but they go well beyond.

I still believe the Clinton Parameters and the Arab Peace Initiative provide the only realistic basis--basis, I emphasize--with changes to reflect where we are today--but the basis for lasting peace and security.

There is no reason for humanitarian stress to persist in Gaza or for the people of Gaza to suffer because of the misdeeds of Hamas.

Politically, it is completely self-defeating.

We need a process that reaches out to them and that tries to address some of their concerns.

Today, the Palestinians cannot make peace on their own.

I want to applaud the commitment to science and ocean conservation that you have shown during the first year of your tenure.

I remain convinced that exhaustive--and if necessary coercive--diplomacy with Iran remains the preferred path to prevent these grave outcomes.

We cannot abandon Afghanistan as we did in 1989 following the Soviet withdrawal.

America must be part of the solution.

It is important that this funding remain strong, and that we get it to the countries that need it.

I have confidence in this administration, led so ably by Secretary Clinton, to make course corrections where necessary.

We need to extend the definition of border security to include keeping drug money and arms from flowing from the United States to the region.

Georgia remains a high priority to this administration.

It is capable of doing anything once we put our minds to it.