Blinken wraps up visit to Israel and summarizes position message in tweet
U.S. Secretary of State leaves Antony Blinken TEL AVIV – Today, Friday – minutes after Israel’s bombardment of Gaza returned – the end of a day-long visit to discuss extending the humanitarian truce in the besieged strip.
During visit, Blinken meets with Israeli President Isaac Herzog And the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Emergency Government Minister Benny Gantz and Defense Minister Yove Galant also attended the war council meeting.
Blinken made many statements between his arrival in Israel and his departure, the following are the most prominent ones on the X platform (formerly Twitter):
*First tweet: Yesterday, Thursday, 09:50 Doha time:
I am pleased to see the release of another American among the Gaza hostages. The cessation of fighting has proven successful in securing the freedom of hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and we would like to see this continue.
I am pleased to see that another American is among the hostages released in Gaza. The pause in fighting has proven successful in securing the freedom of hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza – and we hope to see this continue.
— Secretary of State Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 30, 2023
*Blinken’s second tweet, 17:13 Doha time*:
In my conversation with the Israeli President, I reiterated the United States’ continued support for Israel’s right to self-defense under international humanitarian law and emphasized the need for concrete steps to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank.
between me and @ISAAC_HERZOGI reiterated the United States’ continued support for Israel’s right to self-defense under international humanitarian law and emphasized the need for practical steps to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank. pic.twitter.com/zwegNum2WZ
— Secretary of State Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 30, 2023
*Blinken’s third tweet, Thursday 17:55:
The Prime Minister of Israel and I discussed efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages and expedite the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza. She stressed the need for Israel to take all possible measures to avoid harming civilians.
israeli prime minister @netanyahu I also discussed efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages and to expedite the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to Gaza. I stress the need for Israel to take all possible measures to prevent civilians from being harmed. pic.twitter.com/GLitYLeM1e
— Secretary of State Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 30, 2023
*Blinken’s fourth tweet. Thursday, 19:11*:
I was in Ramallah to discuss the conflict in Gaza and measures to improve security and freedoms for Palestinians in the West Bank with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. I reaffirm the United States’ commitment to advancing the establishment of a Palestinian state.
I was in Ramallah to discuss the conflict in Gaza and measures to improve security and freedoms for Palestinians in the West Bank with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. I reaffirm the United States’ commitment to advancing the establishment of a Palestinian state. pic.twitter.com/8WYzlqEYPj
— Secretary of State Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 30, 2023
*Blinken’s fifth tweet, Friday, December 1, 01:50 AM*:
Israeli Minister Yair Lapid and I discussed ongoing efforts to protect civilians during Israeli operations and the need to address the growing problem of violence against Palestinian civilians by extremist settlers in the West Bank—including holding perpetrators accountable.
israeli minister @yairlapid I also discussed ongoing efforts to protect civilians during Israeli operations and the need to address escalating violence against Palestinian civilians by extremist settlers in the West Bank—including holding perpetrators accountable. pic.twitter.com/ztvAZYTxcJ
— Secretary of State Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 30, 2023
*Blinken’s sixth tweet, December 1, 02:38* (he posted a photo of him and the Israeli Defense Minister talking to him, with a group of people walking behind them):
In my meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Galante, I reiterated U.S. support for Israel’s right to protect itself under international humanitarian law and urged Israel to take all possible measures to avoid harming civilians.
In my meeting with the Minister of Defense @yoavgallantI reiterated the United States’ support for Israel’s right to abide by international humanitarian law and protect its own rights, and at the same time urged Israel to take all possible measures to prevent civilians from being harmed. pic.twitter.com/FySUTFQPhb
— Secretary of State Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 30, 2023
*Blinken’s seventh and final tweet, today, Friday dawn, 03:16 Doha time*:
I met with Israeli Minister Benny Gantz to discuss measures needed to ensure Israel’s security, release hostages, and reduce harm to civilians. I also spoke about the need to restore calm along the Blue Line. (He was referring to the border between Israel and Lebanon)
Meeting with Israeli Minister @gantzbe Discuss measures to ensure Israel’s security, release hostages and minimize harm to civilians. There was also talk of the need to restore calm along the Blue Line. pic.twitter.com/4auVFAykbR
— Secretary of State Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 1, 2023
his press statement
At his final press conference in Tel Aviv yesterday evening, Blinken asked Israel not to repeat what it has done in northern and southern Gaza and not to damage the Strip’s vital infrastructure, such as hospitals and water pumps.
The U.S. minister said the huge loss of life and mass displacement that occurred in northern Gaza should not be repeated in the southern Gaza Strip, saying after meeting Gantz that they discussed “measures to reduce harm to civilians.” “.
He added that the Islamic resistance movement cannot continue to exist.agitationAs he said, he controlled the Gaza Strip and could hand over the weapons and leaders responsible for the events of October 7 last year.
In a meeting with Israeli leaders, Blinken reiterated that the United States will continue to support what he called “Israel’s right to self-defense.”
Concerns escalate
Blinken said he was concerned about the escalation… bank of the westEspecially with the increase in settler violence and Israeli proposals to expand settlements.
He said he discussed with Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid ways to address the growing violence against Palestinian civilians by extremist settlers in the West Bank, including by holding perpetrators accountable.
Blinken discussed ways to prevent the conflict from expanding, whether into the West Bank, Israel’s northern border or the wider region.
“Improving Palestinian Freedom”
Blinken meets Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas After a meeting with Israeli politicians, he said he discussed with them measures aimed at improving security and freedoms for Palestinians in the West Bank.
He added that he reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to promoting the establishment of a Palestinian state.
He stressed the need for reform of the Palestinian Authority and the need for its renewal to be able to meet the aspirations of its people, noting that the choice of leadership rests with the Palestinians.
This is the sixth visit to Israel by a U.S. Secretary of State since the launch of the operation al aqsa floodsHe is currently traveling to the United Arab Emirates to attend the Climate Summit (COP28).
