Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has slammed US Secretary of State John Kerry's speech on Middle East policy.
 
"I must express my deep disappointment with the speech today of John Kerry, a speech that was almost as unbalanced as the anti-Israel resolution passed at the U.N. last week," said Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a televised statement, Netanyahu said "Kerry deals obsessively with the settlements instead of touching on the root of the conflict." The prime minister claims his country has long been a victim of violence by Palestinians.

Netanyahu argues settlement-building enables Jews to live in their "historic homeland". He says Israel remains committed to resolving the issue through direct negotiations.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas says he's ready to resume peace talks with Israel if it halts settlements and agrees to implement the signed deals between the two sides.