Blinken is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas.
His arrival comes shortly after an Egypt-brokered
ceasefire between Israel and Hamas paused 11 days of intensified conflict in
Gaza.
Tel Aviv – US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
arrived in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, days after an Egypt-brokered truce halted
fighting between the Jewish state and the Gaza Strip s Islamist rulers Hamas.
Blinken, who said earlier his trip would aim to
support efforts to solidify a ceasefire , was set to meet Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas,
though he was not to meet Hamas.
US President Joe Biden had previously said that Mr Blinken would meet with Israeli leaders about our ironclad commitment to Israel s security, as well as seek to rebuild ties with the Palestinians. He will continue our administration s efforts to rebuild ties to, and support for, the Palestinian people and leaders, after years of neglect, Mr Biden said.
Mr Blinken on Sunday also reaffirmed US support for a two-state solution as the only way to provide hope to Israelis and Palestinians that they can live with equal measures of security, of peace and dignity.
Israel commitments
Standing next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Tuesday s press conference, Mr Blinken said he will specify an aid package to the Palestinians later on Tuesday. The US will ensure that Hamas the militant group that governs Gaza that is also designated a terrorist group by the US, European Union and others “does not benefit” from international efforts to rebuild the isolated encl
The Biden administration is reopening the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem, restoring ties with the Palestinians that had been downgraded by the Trump administration.
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U.S. to reopen Jerusalem consulate, restoring Palestinian ties
Former President Donald Trump downgraded the U.S. Consulate General s operations and placed them under the authority of his ambassador to Israel when he moved the embassy to Jerusalem.
By JOSEPH KRAUSSAssociated Press
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint statement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister s office, Tuesday, May 25, in Jerusalem, Israel. AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool
JERUSALEM Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced the reopening of the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem a move that restores ties with the Palestinians that had been downgraded by the Trump administration.