US State Dept “clarifies” Kerry’s linking of terror to settlements

State Department spokesman John Kirby denied that Secretary John Kerry was “trying to affix… blame for recent violence” when he attributed it to “a massive increase in settlements.” At the same time, Kirby said the US had “seen some reports of security activity that could indicate the potential excessive use of force.” Both France and the UN Secretary have accused Israeli of using “excessive force” against Palestinian knife-stabbing terror.