Kerry makes calls abroad in first weekend on job WASHINGTON (AP) — New Secretary of State John Kerry reached out to Israeli and Palestinian leaders in phone calls this weekend, assuring them the Obama administration will continue to pursue a Mideast peace agreement while recognizing the individual concerns on both sides. Israel's monthly tax transfers to the Palestinians — the result of taxes and customs duties that Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinians — are a key element in the Palestinian government budget. In his conversation Sunday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, ... Read More