Kerry: Israel will retain 85% of settlements

US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday that Israel would retain 85% of the settlement blocks in any peace deal that could take place in the future. Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot reported today that Kerry held talks with a number of Congressmen after the end of the first round of peace talks between Palestinian and Israeli negotiations. The talks discussed the preparations and the next steps in the peace process, but also focused on how both parties will deal with the Israeli illegal settlements issue. Kerry assured the congressmen, most of whom the newspaper reports were pro-Israel, that Israel’s interests are being safeguarded. The newspaper quoted an unnamed congressman as saying that Kerry said he believed 85% of Israel’s biggest settlement blocs would remain under Israeli sovereignty. The phone calls took place immediately after Tzipi Livni and Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat left Washington.