On Monday, I spoke with Monocle 24’s The Daily about US Secretary of State John Kerry’s meetings this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian officials, and the Arab League.

Kerry’s immediate goal is not to advance Israeli-Palestinian “peace” talks, but to play for time. He wants to block a Palestinian approach to the UN Security Council to recognize an independent Palestine, and he is trying to pull back Netanyahu — challenged by right-wing politicians as March elections approach — from more aggressive measures in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Listen from 6.28

Kerry is not coming forth with new proposals. He is trying to prevent others from presenting new proposals.