Secretary of State John Kerry met with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas in Paris on Saturday in another attempt to keep the moribund “peace process ” alive between Israel and the PA.
The two men “discussed regional challenges and constructive ideas for the way forward to support our shared goal of a two state solution,” according to a statement issued by State Dept. spokesperson John Kirby.
“Secretary Kerry stressed the United States’ commitment to this issue, and they agreed on the importance of continuing to work with key partners to advance the prospects for peace while opposing all efforts that would undermine that goal.”
The meeting was held against the backdrop of a tense situation in which the Paris government is trying to find a way to prevent radical Islamic terrorism from further metastasizing in the country.
Last week two Da’esh (ISIS) terrorists ritually slaughtered a Catholic priest in Normandy on the altar of his own church as he was celebrating mass, forcing a fellow priest to film the entire gruesome process as they cut the elderly priest’s throat. The second priest is in critical condition. Both terrorists were killed.
Mohammad Karabila, a Muslim leader in northern France, said on Saturday the community would not prepare an Islamic funeral for one of the murderers, Adel Kermiche.
Muslim leaders in northern France refused to dishonor Islam with such a person, French media reported. The Muslim community supported the decision, refusing to attend the preparation of the body or burial and insisting the terrorist was not part of the Muslim community.
Muslim and Christian groups did, however, hold vigils for his elderly victim, according to Breitbart. A regional Muslim council also planned a brotherhood march in the southeastern city of Lyon.