JERUSALEM, Israel – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up his latest trip to Israel Wednesday, urging that Palestinian civilians be allowed to return to northern Gaza as soon as conditions are right, and not be pressured to leave the Gaza Strip.
Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, other members of the cabinet, and military leaders. He said the current crisis has clarified what’s needed for regional peace.
“As I told the Prime Minister, every partner that I met on this trip said that they’re ready to support a lasting solution that ends the long-running cycle of violence and ensures Israel’s security,” Blinken stated. “But they underscored that this can only come through a regional approach that includes a pathway to a Palestinian state. These goals are attainable, but only if they’re pursued together.”
Blinken arrived in Israel after meeting with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, and Greece. He was seeking pledges from those countries to contribute to the eventual reconstruction and governance of Gaza.
The secretary stood with Israel on the matter of South Africa’s claim to the International Court of Justice that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, rejecting it as baseless.
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