US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken confirmed in an interview published yesterday, Thursday, “that he warned Israeli officials against evacuating Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem, and from stirring up disturbances on the Temple Mount.”
Speaking to the Axios news website while returning from the Middle East, the US secretary said, “I told the Israeli officials that any additional disturbances would lead to a renewal (tension, conflict and war).”
The American minister added, "When he met with Israeli officials, he talked about (the evictions of Palestinians from their homes in which they lived for decades and generations, and about the demolition of homes as well, and of course everything that happened in and around the Temple Mount."
Speaking with Palestinian officials, Blinken said he had raised concerns about inciting violence or allowing violence to proceed with impunity, along with highly problematic payments to families of Palestinians convicted of terrorism.
According to Axios, Blinken did not clarify how either side responded to his remarks, saying, "He would rather let them speak for themselves."
According to Blinken, he received promises from Israel and Hamas - indirectly via Egypt - that both sides wish to maintain the ceasefire announced last week.
Blinken said: "But it is also important to avoid the various moves that could lead, unintentionally or intentionally, to the outbreak of another round of violence," as he put it.
“The ceasefire was not an end in itself, though important, but also a way to make some room to begin building something a little more positive,” Blinken added.
"We have raised the concerns that we have with all parties about moves that may lead in the first place to igniting tensions, fighting and war, and ultimately also undermine the difficult prospects for a two-state solution," Blinken said.
“What he took from his visit to the Middle East is that the conflict between Israel and Palestine has not magically disappeared, and it still needs to be addressed,” Blinken said.
Blinken acknowledged that the Biden administration had not emphasized the conditions for the peace process that were not conducive to progress.
"With the absence of more positive conditions, I think it is difficult to see the benefit that will come from a major pressure campaign at the moment," Blaken said.
In a related case, reports indicated that the meeting that took place between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Jerusalem on May 25 provided an insight into the tremendous changes taking place in the region, since the departure of President Donald Trump took office, “Where Blinken did his best to show the close friendship between the two countries (America and Israel), with emphasis on President Joe Biden’s long-standing commitment to Israel´s right to defend itself against what the reports called a“ terrorist organization ”that launches missiles at its citizens (Israel). ).
According to estimates, that was more than just talk, as over the past two weeks, “Biden’s actions have proven that he stands by Israel.
According to the same estimates, “Biden showed his respect for Netanyahu, and the White House did not make any threats to him, and did not bully him, as happened on more than one occasion during the Obama administration. Israel, especially when it comes to the relationship of the occupying state of Israel with the Palestinians.”
It is reported that what Biden did effectively is to restore bridges of communication and negotiation with the Palestinians - with the aim of achieving the two-state solution - to center stage, after they were frozen indefinitely during 2014, and that the most obvious example of this was the decision of the Biden administration to reopen The US consulate in East Jerusalem, which has been shut down by the Trump administration.
It is noteworthy that Blinkin informed Netanyahu of this decision during their meeting, and also informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of this new policy, during their meeting in Ramallah.
