Kerry Says Middle East Talks Are at an Impasse

RABAT, Morocco - Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday that the Obama administration plans to reevaluate its approach to Middle East peacemaking and decide whether it is worth continuing its effort in light of the inability of Israeli and Palestinian negotiators to make any progress.

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In response to a question while visiting Morocco, Mr. Kerry said that he would return to Washington to confer with President Obama before deciding on next steps. He said it is 'reality check time.''

'There are limits to the amount of time and effort,' the United States can spend on a Middle East peace effort if the parties themselves are unwilling to take constructive action, he said.

Israel and the Palestinian Authority have been at odds in recent days over Israel's refusal to release a batch of Palestinian prisoners and the Palestinian Authority's use of its application to join a number of international organizations as leverage in the talks.

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