{"id":19116,"date":"2023-11-07T10:00:36","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T08:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=19116"},"modified":"2023-11-07T11:12:53","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T09:12:53","slug":"us-secretary-blinken-rushes-back-to-middle-east-in-attempt-to-heal-strained-relations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/us-secretary-blinken-rushes-back-to-middle-east-in-attempt-to-heal-strained-relations\/","title":{"rendered":"US Secretary Blinken rushes back to Middle East in attempt to heal strained relations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on another diplomatic journey to mend Washington\u2019s deteriorating image in the Middle East. Blinken has traveled to Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey to meet regional leadership and his counterparts. He would also travel to Japan, India, and South Korea in the last leg of his trip.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blinken\u2019s latest diplomatic travels started on November 3, 2023, not long after he completed a week-long trip to the Middle East. He started his trip in Tel Aviv where he met with Israel\u2019s War Cabinet member Minister Benny Gantz and President Isaac Herzog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secretary Blinken reaffirmed that the United States supports Israel\u2019s right to defend itself against terrorism. Secretary Blinken and Minister Gantz discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and maintain calm and stability in the West Bank. Secretary Blinken stressed that the United States remains committed to advancing a two-state solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. secretary then traveled to Jordan to participate in the ministerial meeting of regional partners in Amman. He met with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Crown Prince Al Hussein to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blinken underscored shared commitment to the protection of civilians and to facilitating the increased, sustained delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance, the resumption of essential services, and ensuring that Palestinians are not forcibly displaced outside of Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also met with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on the margins of a ministerial meeting in Amman. Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Al Thani discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza amid Israeli military operations against Hamas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"U.S.<\/a>
U.S. Secretary Blinken meets with ministers from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, and the Palestine Liberation Organization Secretary General in Amman, Jordan. (Image Credit: Twitter\/@SecBlinken)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Jordan, Blinken held a meeting with the Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini. UNRWA is one of the very few humanitarian missions in Gaza and the region that is providing critical assistance to civilians amid Israel\u2019s bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philippe emphasized the importance of UNRWA and the difficulties his organization is facing. He said that more than 72 UNRWA staff members have been killed serving in Gaza as a result of Israel\u2019s bombing since the crisis began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CIA Director William Burns is also in the Middle East to engage with intelligence partners and regional leaders. The visit comes as United States makes effort to encourage Israel to pursue a targeted approach against Hamas, allow humanitarian pauses and minimize civilian casualties. The United States plans to enhance intelligence cooperation with Israel, offering valuable information on hostage locations and potential follow-up actions by Hamas, according to U.S. media reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Surprise visits to West Bank and Iraq<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blinken made an unannounced visit to the West Bank during his trip where he held a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who called for an immediate cease-fire as pressure grows on Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secretary Blinken reiterated that the United States remains committed to advancing equal measures of dignity and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike. He expressed the commitment of the United States to working toward the realization of the Palestinians\u2019 legitimate aspirations for the establishment of a Palestinian state, however, rejected the possibility of a ceasefire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Met with President Abbas and affirmed our commitment to delivery of humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services in Gaza. Made clear that extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank must end and reiterated our support for a two state solution. pic.twitter.com\/gax3F23ned<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 5, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>