Updated

Secretary of State John Kerry says the U.S. and partners are searching for ways to advance Mideast peace without interfering with Israel's election process.

Kerry won't outline the U.S. position on proposals for a U.N. Security Council framework for negotiations. He says Washington is having a "constructive" conversation with the Israelis, Palestinians and European countries on how to stem rising violence between Israelis and Palestinians and create an environment for resumed peace talks.

But Kerry says no one should interfere in elections. Israel has a vote slated for March.

Kerry is meeting Tuesday in London with senior Palestinian and Arab officials.

On possible U.N. action, he says peace in the end depends on Israelis and Palestinians. He says they — not the international community — have to make key decisions.