New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully will meet U.S. Secretary for State John Kerry in Washington today…and offer his services to help broker a breakthrough in reestablishing peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
Kerry has visited the region three times since assuming his current role in February. It was formerly held by Hillary Clinton.
McCully is not under any illusion that he can broker the deal. He told the New Zealand Herald: “We are simply saying, ‘Look, we are not one of the big players here but we are very happy to find ways in which we can support any process you can ignite over the coming weeks.”
New Zealand has been a member of the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai for 31 years helping to uphold the peace between Egypt and Israel.
There are currently 28 members of the New Zealand Defence Force operating in the area. New Zealand is also working on a project in the West Bank. McCully told the Herald that “both the Israelis and the Palestinians trust us.”
John Kerry will shortly leave the U.S. for his fourth trip to the region.