Kerry discusses peace framework with Netanyahu in Davos

Secretary of State John Kerry met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Switzerland Friday to discuss a framework for a peace deal with the Palestinians. 

“Secretary Kerry and Prime Minister Netanyahu met this morning in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss the ongoing negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The meeting focused on efforts to agree on a framework for negotiations that would address all of the core issues,” a senior State Department official said.

{mosads}World leaders have been in Davos this week for the World Economic Forum.

Kerry has been working on the security framework, which is intended to lay the foundation for future negotiations. Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports the framework might be introduced within weeks, but Kerry suggested Thursday it could take longer.

In an interview with Al Arabiya TV, Kerry was asked if the framework would be ready in a month. 

“Well, I’m not sure when it will be,” Kerry said. “It will be when we’re finished with the work we have to do to get there. We’re still negotiating. We’re working in good faith with both of the parties. The leaders have been very, very committed to this process. My hope is we can achieve the framework for final status negotiations. But it’s very, very difficult and we have a lot of work to do.”

Since initiating talks between the two sides last summer, Kerry has aimed to achieve a final peace deal by the end of April. The State Department said this week that deadline is still the current goal. 

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat is expected to visit with officials in Washington early next week. Kerry met with his Israeli counterpart, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, on Monday in Washington.