US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Israelis and Palestinians to take immediate steps to calm the volatile situation in the region. After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Blinken said that from the United States’ point of view, the goal is still for Palestinians and Israelis to enjoy “freedom, security, opportunity, justice and dignity to the same extent” in the future.The two-state solution remains the best path in this direction.
Blinken also said they wanted to expand the “circle of peace” in the region. Netanyahu said he hoped for “dramatic breakthroughs” in efforts to get closer to other Arab states. Blinken wants to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Tuesday. He had started his journey through the Middle East in Egypt.
How did the conflict in the Middle East start?
Israel is taking a tough stance after the worst attack by a Palestinian in 15 years. The United States had strongly condemned a Palestinian attack on visitors to a synagogue in East Jerusalem on Friday night, which killed seven people. The attack came a day after an Israeli raid on Jenin that left 10 Palestinians dead – most of them militants.
Netanyahu announced new steps against hitmen and their families on Sunday. He also talked about strengthening the Israeli settlement project. Blinken had recently criticized Israel’s settlement policy in the occupied West Bank in clear terms.
The US wants to convince the Palestinian leadership to continue security cooperation with Israel. Abbas resigned after the deadly raid on Jenin.
Israel’s government – the most right-wing the country has ever had – has been in office for just a month. Since then, the conflict with the Palestinians has again dangerously escalated. However, the wave of violence had already begun with a series of attacks during the tenure of the more liberal previous government. Since then, the army has made regular raids in the West Bank. Since the beginning of the year, 34 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with the army or in their own attacks. Last year there were 172, the same number as in 2006.
After their meeting, Netanyahu and Blinken reiterated that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons. “We discussed ways to deepen cooperation to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region and beyond,” Blinken said. “Just as Iran has long supported terrorists targeting Israelis and others, the regime is now supplying drones that Russia is using to kill innocent Ukrainian citizens.” In return, Moscow provides Iran with state-of-the-art weapons.
Just a few days ago, the United States completed a large-scale military exercise with Israel. According to media reports, it was the largest military exercise Israel and the United States have ever held together.
Former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Jadlin said Monday: “I have never seen such massive training by Israel and the US, with the planes and platforms that would be deployed if we chose the military option.” He has no doubt that the military option has emerged. “If you don’t have a credible military option, diplomacy will never succeed.” However, a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities is the last resort when all other means have failed. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
