 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Blinken told reporters the four goals of his Middle East trip, “First, to demonstrate the commitment of the US to Israeli security. Second, to start to work for greater stability and reduce tensions in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Third, to support urgent humanitarian reconstruction in Gaza to benefit the people. And fourth, to continue to rebuild our relationship with the Palestinian people and the Palestinian authority.”
He urged Israeli and Palestinian authorities to work out ways to improve life in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He said the United States remains committed to a two-state solution, adding that the US intends to provide 75 million USD in additional assistance to the Palestinians in 2021. He also promised to work to shore up the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.