In rare – if implicit – criticism of Israel, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has described Israeli policies, including settlement expansion and home demolitions, as detrimental to the two-state solution.
Nonetheless, Blinken reiterated Washington’s “iron-clad” commitment to Israel at a news conference at the end of his trip to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories on Tuesday.
“The United States is committed to working toward our enduring goal of ensuring that Palestinians and Israelis enjoy equal standards of freedom, security, opportunity, justice and dignity,” Blinken said, stressing the need to live up to the two-state “vision.” preserve solution.
“The United States will continue to oppose anything that takes this goal further from reach, including but not limited to expanding settlements and legalizing illegal outposts, moves to annex the West Bank, disrupting the historic status quo at Jerusalem holy sites, demolitions and evictions, and inciting and condoning violence.”
Human rights defenders have long urged Washington to urge Israel to end its abuses against Palestinians.