After allowing this anti-Israel resolution to pass the UN, Secretary Kerry has no credibility to speak on Israeli-Palestinian peace.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) December 28, 2016
House Speaker Paul Ryan criticizes John Kerry's speech on the Middle East peace plan.
[UPDATE] 11:42 AM EST
Kerry on terrorism
Kerry said the U.N. vote was about preserving the two-state solution and countering terrorist threats. "There is no justification for terrorism and there never will be."
He said the United States has consistently condemned violence, including stabbings and vehicular attacks.
[UPDATE] 11:32 AM EST
Kerry on Israel's two states
Kerry on Wednesday said the Obama administration has done more for Israel than any other administration. He talked about the polarization of both sides of the two states.
"If the choice is one state, Israel can either be Jewish or democratic. It cannot be both and it won't ever really be in peace," he said.
BREAKING: Kerry: UN vote on Israel was `in accordance with' US values.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 28, 2016
[UPDATE] 11:23 AM EST
Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday delivered his outline for the Middle East plan for peace. These are highlights from his speech:
Kerry: "The two-state solution is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians."
Kerry: "This administration has been Israel's greatest friend and supporter."
Kerry: "No American administration has done more for Israeli security than Barack Obama's."
HAPPENING NOW: Sec. of State @JohnKerry says a two-state solution between Israel & Palestine is only path to peace. pic.twitter.com/4m1oc5B7MD
— Alana Austin (@alana_austin) December 28, 2016
President-elect Donald Trump, in an unprecedented criticism of a sitting president's foreign policy, used Twitter to bash the Obama administration's decision to abstain from a recent U.N. Security Council vote condemning Israel for continuing to build Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
"We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect," Trump wrote. It is a long-standing tradition among U.S. political rivals to speak with one voice when it comes to foreign policy.
We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the U.S., but.......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016
Trump's tweet, part one:
not anymore. The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and now this (U.N.)! Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016
Trump's tweet, part two:
.@JohnKerry to give "candid" speech tomorrow pushing back on @netanyahu claims US crafted and pushed UN resolution
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) December 28, 2016
Secretary of State John Kerry will deliver a major speech about the Mideast peace process.
Kerry will detail the Obama administration's vision for Middle East peace on Wednesday, according to CNN.
Last week, the United States abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem. It was not a typical move -- the U.S. often vetoes resolutions seen as overly critical of Israel. The vote was blasted by Israel, who sought the help of President-elect Donald Trump.
After the vote, Kerry said he would soon address the issue, and "soon" is here.
John Kerry statement on today's controversial UN Security Council vote condemning Israeli settlements (which the US chose not to block) pic.twitter.com/tNpXlTMp1p
— Matt Viser (@mviser) December 23, 2016
Here is the statement Kerry released following last week's U.N. vote.
What we can expect from Kerry's speech
U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes told Israeli TV that Kerry's speech will lay out a broad vision for resolving conflict in the Middle East.
It will also acknowledge disappointment in the lack of significant progress toward peace during the Obama administration.
This will be one of Kerry's final major speeches before he leaves office to make room for the Trump administration's new Secretary of State.
WATCH | Deputy State Department spokesperson Mark Toner gives a preview about what viewers can expect from Kerry's speech on Wednesday.
"We haven't given up on this and we don't want the Palestinians or the Israelis to give up on this either," he said.