US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
As part of his latest diplomatic mission aimed at easing tensions, Blinken conveyed to Israeli leaders that there remains an opportunity to garner acceptance from their Arab neighbors. He emphasized that this acceptance could be achieved by creating a viable path towards a Palestinian state.
This marks Blinken’s fourth visit to the region since October, with previous efforts yielding limited success in mitigating the violence. During his meetings, Blinken expressed his intention to share insights gained from discussions held with leaders from Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Blinken’s recent diplomatic efforts have concentrated on formulating a more enduring strategy for addressing the longstanding Israel-Palestinian conflict, with a view to finding a resolution to the Gaza war. Following consultations with Arab allies, he noted their interest in integration with Israel—a long-term Israeli objective. However, this integration is contingent upon the establishment of a “practical pathway” to a Palestinian state, as articulated by Blinken.
