WASHINGTON (JTA) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said it was premature to speculate about a possible Palestinian bid for statehood recognition at the United Nations.

“This isn’t the time to detail private conversations or speculate on a U.N. Security Council resolution that hasn’t even been tabled, no matter what pronouncements are made publicly about it,” Kerry said Tuesday in London, a day after he had met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Rome and just before scheduled meetings with Palestinian officials.

Palestinian officials say they hoped to advance a statehood recognition resolution this week through the U.N. Security Council.

“Many of us share a deep sense of urgency about this, given the constant threat of escalation and the dangers of a downward spiral of violence,” Kerry said. “But we’re also very mindful that we have to carefully calibrate any steps that are taken for this difficult moment in the region.”