Kerry discusses settlements, peace with Netanyahu, Abbas

US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke on Thursday with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and spoke Friday morning with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas during which he discussed the settlement issue and the Mideast Peace Process, it was announced here Friday. State Department Spokesman Jen Psaki told reporters that Kerry spoke with Netanyahu on Thursday and that he raised the issue of the Israeli Government's decision to expand settlements in east Jerusalem "as part of a broader conversation about the ongoing desire to move back to the negotiating table." Psaki added that Kerry "also spoke with President Abbas this morning about the continuing process." On the Israeli decision on expanding settlements, she stressed "this is a case where we feel these activities are counterproductive to the cause of peace. They're not constructive."