2024-01-10T04:43:41+00:00
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/ US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Wednesday that the Israeli government must move toward a two-state solution if it wants to help its Arab partners in the region while moving forward with permanent security.
In some of his most direct comments on the issue, Blinken noted at a press conference in Tel Aviv that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must rein in right-wing extremists in his government in order to achieve any future progress.
“Israel must stop taking steps that undermine the ability of Palestinians to govern themselves effectively,” he said. “The violence committed with impunity by extremist settlers, the expansion of settlements, demolitions and evictions all make it more difficult – not easier – for Israel to achieve peace and security.” “the permanent ones.”
“Israel must be a partner of Palestinian leaders who want to lead their people to live side by side in peace with Israel as neighbors,” Blinken said.
The top US diplomat met with Netanyahu after meetings with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan.
He added: “As I told the Prime Minister, all the partners I met on this trip said they were ready to support a lasting solution that ends the long-running cycle of violence and ensures Israel’s security. But they stressed that this can only be achieved through a regional approach that includes a path to a state.” Palestinian”.
“If Israel wants its Arab neighbors to make the tough decisions needed to help ensure lasting security, Israeli leaders will have to make tough decisions themselves,” Blinken said.