Ammon News - (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Jordan Wednesday in hopes of jump-starting foundering Mideast peace talks just as Arab leaders released a communique saying they will never recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

Kerry flew from Rome to Jordan's capital, Amman, for a meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as negotiations are approaching a critical April 30 deadline for a settlement. But the Palestinians have threatened to walk away before then unless Israel releases a group of prisoners, as it agreed to, by March 29.

Wednesday's announcement by the Arab League, blaming Israel for a lack of progress in the Mideast peace process, puts up another roadblock. The communique, issued at the end of a two-day summit, also rejects what the Arab League described as the continuation of settlements and the "Judaization" of Jerusalem.

The League's announcement that it will not recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people rejects a key demand of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A State Department spokeswoman said Kerry also will talk with Netanyahu in the next few days.

He is meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II Wednesday before a working dinner with Abbas. Kerry will then return to Rome to join President Barack Obama at a meeting Thursday with Pope Francis.