Blinken stresses importance of two-state solution in call with Israeli counterpart
U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken stressed the importance of the two-state solution in a phone call on Monday with his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi.
U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken participates in a video teleconference with the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 22, 2021. Credit: State Department. Photo by Ron Przysucha/Public Domain.
Blinken emphasized U.S. President Joe Biden’s belief that “the two-state solution is the best way to ensure Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state living in peace alongside a viable and democratic Palestinian state,” said the U.S. State Department.
The Biden administration has promised to improve relations with the Palestinians, including reopening the PLO’s mission in Washington and restoring aid that was cut off by the Trump administration.
The call also comes amid a push by the Biden administration to return to the Iranian nuclear deal, which America withdrew from in May 2018.
While the readout of the call between Ashkenazi and Blinken did not specifically mention Iran, it did note that the two discussed “regional security challenges and the importance of continued cooperation in addressing these issues.”
Earlier on Monday, Blinken spoke to the U.N.-backed Conference on Disarmament, when he again reiterated that America would rejoin the deal with Tehran if it comes back into “strict compliance” with the pact. However, Iran has called for economic sanctions imposed under former President Donald Trump to be lifted before such dialogue was to begin.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said going back to the original agreement would pave the way for Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
JNS
The Palestinians have never wanted a 2 state solution. They want all the land that is Israel, with the possibility of Jews living there in a minority if they can’t be ‘driven into the sea’.
So, with that reality, one has to acknowledge the stupidity of the likes of Biden and Blinken, the EU and UK, et al in continuing to bray on about a 2 state solution. Also, the arrogance of pushing their solution when it’s not their business. Let’s stop even having polite conversation with them about the issue.
Blinken is correct re 2 state solution.
But so far israel has been rejected 3 times in a row by palestinian leaders.
They need to come to the party this time…first.