On In a rare – albeit implicit – criticism of Israel, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Israel’s policies, including settlement expansion and demolition of homes, to be detrimental to the two-state solution.
However, at a press conference at the end of his trip to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories on Tuesday, Blinken reaffirmed Washington’s “firm” commitment to Israel.
“The United States is committed to working towards our enduring goal of ensuring that Palestinians and Israelis enjoy equal freedom, security, opportunity, justice and dignity,” Blinken said, stressing the need to preserve the “vision” of two states. solution.
“The United States will continue to oppose anything that takes that goal further from its reach, including but not limited to expanding settlements and legalizing illegal outposts, moves toward annexation of the West Bank, disruption of the historic status quo in Jerusalem’s holy sites, the destruction of and evictions and incitement and consent to violence.”
Human rights defenders have long urged Washington to pressure Israel to end its abuses against Palestinians.
The US provides at least $3.8 billion in military aid to Israel annually while pushing to block international efforts to denounce Israel’s abuses, including at the United Nations.
Successive US administrations, including the administration of President Joe Biden, have maintained unconditional support for Israel as they rhetorically support a two-state solution, a prospect many experts say is no longer realistic because of Israel’s settlement policies.
“I reiterate to Israel and its people the United States’ firm commitment to Israel’s security. The escalating tide of violence has resulted in the loss of countless innocent lives on both sides,” Blinken said on Tuesday.
Blinken met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in occupied Ramallah earlier in the day.
Last week, Israeli forces killed 10 Palestinians in the West Bank, including nine in the Jenin refugee camp. A day later, a Palestinian gunman shot dead seven Israelis in occupied East Jerusalem.
Abbas’ office released a statement through the Palestinian news agency WAFA, blaming Israel for the recent crisis and accusing it of hindering a two-state solution and violating international law.
“This comes at a time when Israel is continuing – without any deterrence or accountability – its unilateral operations, including settlements, de-facto annexation, settler terrorism,” the Palestinian president said.
Abbas also denounced that Israel “violated the historic status quo and violated Al-Aqsa Mosque” and “withheld [Palestinian] funds, along with policies of ethnic cleansing and apartheid”.
Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians soared earlier this month after an ultranationalist minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in a move condemned by Palestinian and Arab leaders as a “provocation”.
On Tuesday, Abbas implicitly denounced US opposition to Palestinian diplomatic pushes to hold Israel accountable for violations.
“Continued opposition to the efforts of the Palestinian people to defend their existence and legitimate rights in international forums and courts, and to provide international protection for our people, is a policy that encourages the Israeli occupation to commit more crimes and violate international law. ,” said Abbas.
In his news conference, Blinken said Washington’s top priority was “restoring calm” and de-escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinians before pushing for a long-term settlement.
Blinken added that he asked his team members to remain in the region to help with the cause.
Earlier in the day, he said the US was working to reopen consulates to Palestinians in Jerusalem – a Biden campaign promise that remains unfulfilled amid Israeli opposition. Former President Donald Trump has closed the US diplomatic mission to Palestine because he cut ties with the Palestinian leadership.
On Tuesday, Blinken said Washington was trying to “rebuild” its relationship with Palestine and the Palestinian Authority.
The top US diplomat made no mention of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, a US citizen who was shot dead by Israeli forces last year, in public statements while in Israel.
Asked whether Blinken raised Abu Akleh’s killing with Israeli officials, a US State Department spokesperson referred Al Jazeera to a “public reading” of the highest gathering of diplomats. The available readings make no mention of the murdered journalist.
Blinken said on Tuesday he was discussing with Israeli officials deepening cooperation to counter Iran amid a halt in diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal that saw Tehran scale back its nuclear program in return for lifting sanctions on its economy.
“We are continuing what has been an ongoing discussion about ways we can continue to work together, collaborate – and not just us, with other countries – in countering the malign acts of Iran, whether in this region or beyond,” Blinken said. to journalists.
Who was first called Israel in the Bible?
Who is called Israel in the Bible? Jacob, Hebrew YaÊ¿aqov, Arabic YaÊ¿qÅ«b, also called Israel, Hebrew Yisraʾel, Arabic IsrÄʾīl, Hebrew patriarch who was the grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the traditional ancestor of the people of Israel. The story of Jacob in the Bible begins at Genesis 25:19.
What was the name of Israel before it was called Israel?
The Land of Israel (Hebrew: ×ֶרֶץ ×ִשְ×רָ×Öµ×), also known as the Holy Land or as Palestine, is the birthplace of the Jewish people and Judaism.
When was the name Israel first mentioned?
The name “Israel” first appears on the Merneptah Stele c. 1208 BC: “Israel is destroyed and its seed is no more. On the same subject : US Relations with Israel – US Department of State.” This “Israel” is a cultural and possibly political entity, well established enough for Egyptians to see it as a possible challenge, but as an ethnic group rather than an organized state.
How did Israel get its name in the Bible?
Abraham’s descendants were thought to have been enslaved by the Egyptians for hundreds of years before settling in Canaan, which is roughly the territory of modern Israel. This may interest you : Secretary Blinken’s Conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Gantz – United States Department of State. The word Israel comes from Abraham’s grandson Jacob, who was renamed “Israel” by the Hebrew God in the Bible.
When was Israel no longer a country?
Following the destruction of Judea and the resulting diaspora, Israel ceased to exist until the creation of the modern State of Israel in 1947-1948 AD by the United Nations. See the article : The Music Business of Israel Has the Ears of the Majors.
What caused the fall of Israel? Withholding blessings failed to hold Israel in their mad rush to destruction. In 721 BC. The Northern Kingdom fell before the onslaught of Assyrian enemies, and its people were taken to foreign lands as captives. Then some fled and went to the northern countries.
What was the land of Israel called before 1948?
During the League of Nations mandate period (1920â1948) the term “Eretz Yisrael” or “Land of Israel” was part of the official Hebrew name of Mandate Palestine.
When did Israel become a country again?
At midnight on May 14, 1948, the Provisional Government of Israel proclaimed the new State of Israel. On the same date, the United States, in the person of President Truman, recognized the Jewish provisional government as the de facto authority of the Jewish state (de jure recognition was extended on January 31, 1949).
What was Israel called before 1922?
In 1920, after the Allies conquered the Levant during World War I, the territory was divided between Britain and France under a mandate system, and the British-administered area including modern Israel was named Mandatory Palestine.
What was Israel called in 1948? On May 14, 1948, in Tel Aviv, Jewish Agency Chairman David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel, establishing the first Jewish state in 2,000 years.
What was Israel called before in the Bible?
Related biblical, religious, and historical English terms include the Land of Canaan, the Promised Land, the Holy Land, and Palestine (see also Israel (disambiguation)).
What was Israel before it became a country?
EARLY HISTORY In the first century, when Jewish civilization in Israel was over 1,000 years old, Rome destroyed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and subdued the Jewish people. At this time, the Romans changed the name of the region to “Palestine” and exiled some of the population. However, some Jews remained.
What was Israel called originally?
First known in historical records as Canaan, the area became a hotbed of rival civilizations and cultures.
