US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken He arrived in Israel today (Monday), as part of an official visit to the Middle East and met with the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a statement to the media of the two, Netanyahu stated that “Your visit is further evidence of the relations between the countries. Biden is a true friend of Israel. We share the same principles of two democracies.” Blinken, for his part, referred to the legal reform and the continuation of the peace process with the Palestinians.
“Diplomacy – the best way”: Lincoln in a message to Iran before his visit to Israel
Netanyahu added: “We thank you for your partnership. This is a time when many countries in the world are seeing the true face of Iran, their barbaric behavior against their own citizens. This regime must not have nuclear weapons, our policy is to do everything to prevent them from getting there. We and the United States work together, and this is important for this purpose.”
The Prime Minister also said that “this regime must not have nuclear weapons, our policy is to do everything to prevent them from getting there. We and the United States work together, and it is important for this purpose. We see an opportunity to increase the peace process, in addition to the agreements that have already been signed as part of the Abraham Accords. Moves that will be historic. to finally close the Arab-Israeli conflict. It will also help us reach a solution with the Palestinians.”
The American Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, also spoke and also referred to the murderous attacks that took place in Jerusalem: “I want to thank you for a good and effective conversation in which many issues were raised. The United States shares in the sorrow for the seven murdered in the attack in Jerusalem. It is important that the government and the people know that the United States is committed to security Israel. The obligation has never ceased to exist, nor will it exist. We have an agreement that Iran must not reach nuclear weapons.”
“We are working to help Ukraine in several areas. One of the things that will help Israel’s security is to increase the peace agreements following the Abraham Accords. Earlier this month, the Negev Forum convened, this is the largest Arab-Israeli gathering in many years. They discussed various issues: energy, health services , tourism and security. The partnership is not only between governments, but also in the field of business. A few years ago such moves seemed impossible,” he added.
Blinken also said: “None of this would have happened without the leadership of the Prime Minister. We can do things that will improve the lives of the Palestinians. Biden is committed to this goal. One of the things that makes our partnership so strong is that it goes beyond any specific person. Biden worked With every prime minister since Netanyahu, who has also worked with a number of presidents. We share common interests. The desire of the people in both countries to make their voices heard and protect their rights is a characteristic of both democracies. The countries hold talks with each other, on some they agree and on others they do not. We want to protect our democracies, to which we are committed.”
“Taking innocent lives in an act of terrorism is a heinous crime”
Earlier, upon his landing in Israel, Blinken said: “Good afternoon, everyone. As you can see, I just landed in Israel at a crucial moment. I’m really looking forward to going into my discussions, but I just wanted to say a few words right after landing.”
“On Shabbat, Jews around the world recite what is good. Part of that prayer reads: “Your great love inspires me to enter your house, to work in your holy temple, full of reverence for you. I love your house.” Seven people were killed in Friday’s attack in Neve Yaakov; many more were injured. Most of them left the synagogue after prayer. To the families of the victims, we express our heartfelt condolences knowing that we will never know the depth of your loss. May your memory be remembered May your loved ones be blessed.
“Taking an innocent life in an act of terrorism is always a heinous crime, but targeting people outside their place of worship is particularly shocking. The house of prayer is sacred to every faith. It is a place of unity, of awe, and as Tobo reminds us, of love. So the attack of Yom Friday was more than an attack on individuals; it was also an attack on the universal act of practicing one’s faith. We strongly condemn it. We also condemn the subsequent attack in Jerusalem on Saturday in which a father and son were injured. And we condemn all those who celebrate these terrorist acts and all acts others who claim innocent lives, no matter who the victim is and what they believe in. Calls for revenge against more innocent victims is not the answer and acts of retaliatory violence against civilians are never justified.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to take steps to calm tensions instead of igniting them, to work towards a day when people no longer feel fear in their communities, in their homes, in their places of worship. This is the only way to stop the rising wave of violence that has claimed too many lives – too many Israelis, too many Palestinians. I will make this clear throughout my time in Israel and the West Bank with everyone I meet.
“Friday’s attack occurred on International Holocaust Day, a day when we mourn the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and rededicate ourselves to eradicating the hatred and dehumanization that enable unspeakable crimes, to ensure that history does not repeat itself. We must all recommit ourselves to this responsibility. We will not shy away from this We will get up to meet him. Thank you.”
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen welcomed Blinken upon his landing. Minister Cohen congratulated the Secretary of State and spoke with him about the importance of the joint fight against the Iranian nuclear program and promoting the declaration of the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. The ministers also talked about expanding the Abrahamic agreements to other Arab and Muslim countries.
Cohen then thanked Blinken for the statement of condemnation he issued after the attacks in Jerusalem at the weekend and emphasized the importance of the alliance between Israel and the United States. “The alliance between Israel and the United States is one of the pillars of the national security of the State of Israel and its foreign relations. The visit of the Secretary of State to Israel is an important and significant event for our relations and I thank the Secretary of State for the commitment of the US to regional stability, for the unequivocal message against terrorism that he voiced immediately upon his landing in Israel, for the willingness to act to expand the Abraham Accords that the US led and the continuation of the determined front against Iran,” said Minister Cohen.
“My fourth visit to the region as Secretary of State emphasizes our commitment to deepen bilateral relations and people-to-people ties, promote human rights and strengthen regional and global security,” is how Blinken described the purpose of his visit to the region.
In Cairo, he met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Foreign Minister Samah Shukri and other Egyptian officials. During his visit he said: “I will encourage Israel and the Palestinians to lower the intensity of the flames. The two-state solution is the only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
According to the State Department announcement, Blinken is expected to consult with the partners in Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Authority on a variety of issues that are at the top of the global and regional priorities, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Iran, Israeli-Palestinian relations and maintaining a two-state solution to end the conflict. The special section that talks about “protection of human rights and democratic values” was also emphasized. Senior officials involved in the preparation of the visit say that one of the issues that Blinken is expected to raise in his talks in Jerusalem will be the legal reform of the current government.
During his visit, Lincoln is expected to hand the Prime Minister an invitation to a meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington, which will take place in the coming weeks. Before his visit to Israel, the US Secretary of State, in a conversation with Jewish leaders in the US, referred to the demonstrations in Israel against the government’s moves on the issue of judicial reform, saying that they express the democratic nature of the country.