US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured him that Gazans will not be evicted.
US Secretary of State Visiting Israel Antony Blinken considers the charge of genocide perpetrated by South Africa to be invalid. On Thursday, South Africa will present to the International Court of Justice the condemnation of Israel for genocide in the ongoing Gaza war.
– South Africa misleads the whole world with its presentation, Foreign Minister Blinken said after meeting the entire political leadership of Israel on Tuesday.
Blinken still believes in the diplomatic way and the possibility of the different parties to achieve a lasting peace.
Blinken has now been to Israel five times since the war between Israel and the extremist organization Hamas began in October. Israel has carried out heavy air and missile strikes on Gaza since Hamas carried out devastating terror attacks across the border into Israel.
Blinken arrived in Israel after first visiting several Arab countries – Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
He estimates that the Arab countries are not willing to expand the war in Gaza to the entire region.
– Many countries in the region are ready to invest in the future of Gaza, but that requires a clear vision of Palestine getting its own state, Blinken said.
The suffering of children is far too great
At his press conference in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening, Antony Blinken pointed out many times that the suffering of the civilians in Gaza, especially the children, is far too great.
He also said that Gazans forced into internal displacement by the war must return to their homes safely and cannot be forced out of Gaza. Blinken said the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu having assured him that the Gazans would not be deported.
Blinken says that he agreed with Israel on a special UN delegation that would visit to ensure that it is safe for Gazans to return to the northern parts of Gaza. This requires, first of all, that Israel’s attacks on Gaza be relaxed.
Blinken called on Israel to do more so that humanitarian aid reaches the suffering Gazans. He reminded that, according to the UN, food security is now very poor for 90 percent of Gazans.
The US Secretary of State continued to express his support for Israel in the fight against Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iran-backed Houthis. Blinken reminded that Israel has the right to defend itself.
He also pointed out that, for example, settlement construction does not promote Israel’s security, but weakens it.