WASHINGTON (JTA) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is postponing a trip to Israel, reportedly to attend strategy sessions on Syria in Washington.

Kerry was due this week to make his fifth visit to Israel and the Palestinian areas since becoming secretary of state in February.

He has placed a high premium on restarting peace talks, appealing last week in an address to the American Jewish Committee to the U.S. Jewish community to press leaders on all sides to advance talks.

Multiple news agencies on Monday reported that he would delay this week’s visit.

The Associated Press reported that Kerry was delaying the visit to attend White House strategy meetings that will consider arming Syrian rebels after Assad regime forces, coupled with the assistance of the Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist group, retook the key city of Qusair.

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