U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, continuing his week-long mission to ease tensions in the Middle East, conducted a diplomatic visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On Wednesday, he met with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, the de facto Palestinian capital.
Blinken’s visit came on the heels of discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet a day earlier. The talks addressed issues related to Israel’s conflict with Hamas and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
During a press conference on Tuesday evening, Secretary Blinken stressed the imperative of establishing a pathway to a Palestinian state. This sentiment echoed his discussions with Israeli leaders, emphasizing the need for a Palestinian state.
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In his meeting with President Abbas, the focus was on the PA’s responsibility to undertake reforms and improve governance. Washington views this as a critical step for the 88-year-old Abbas to prepare the organization for post-war governance in Gaza.
Despite limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank, the PA remains central to the prospect of a unified Palestinian government encompassing both Gaza and the West Bank.
Blinken’s visit to Israel followed engagements with Washington’s Arab allies, who expressed interest in closer relations with Israel but insisted on a “practical pathway” to a Palestinian state.
Acknowledging the collapse of U.S.-brokered talks on Palestinian statehood nearly a decade ago, Blinken addressed the opposition from right-wing leaders in Israel’s current ruling coalition. He refrained from characterizing Netanyahu’s response to the appeal for a Palestinian state, emphasizing that Israel would need to make “hard decisions, hard choices” to capitalize on the regional integration opportunity.
In his news conference, Secretary Blinken highlighted challenges hindering the path to lasting peace and security. He pointed out concerns such as “extremist settler violence carried out with impunity, settlement expansion, demolitions, evictions,” stressing that these actions make it more challenging for Israel to achieve enduring peace, particularly in the West Bank.
The diplomatic discussions between Blinken and Abbas mark a significant step in addressing the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The U.S. Secretary of State’s visit underscores the importance of regional cooperation and the urgent need for a viable pathway to a Palestinian state, setting the stage for continued diplomatic efforts to navigate challenges in the region.
