U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, speaks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Nov. 6, 2013.
Secretary of State John Kerry announced Wednesday that the United States will contribute $75 million more in Palestinian aid, with a focus on creating jobs and improving infrastructure, roads and schools.
During a visit to Bethlehem, where he was meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Kerry the additional aid was an effort to garner public support to resume peace talks with Israel after the latest negotiations reportedly broke down on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.
“We are convinced that despite the difficulties, both leaders, President Abbas and [Israeli] Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, are also determined to work toward this goal,” Kerry said after meeting with Netanyahu earlier in the day in Jersusalem.
Kerry is said to meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials again on Thursday.
U.S. aid to support Palestinian infrastructure will now total $100 million.
[AP]