Antony Blinken put down exceptionally direct words about the actions of the new Israeli government.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized Israel’s decision to legalize nine settlements in the occupied West Bank. Blinken said he found the decision highly problematic and warned that Israel’s actions would increase tensions with the Palestinians.
– Like previous administrations, Democrats and Republicans, we strongly oppose such unilateral actions that increase tensions and jeopardize the possibility of negotiating a two-state solution, Blinken said in a statement.
Israel announced on Sunday that it plans to legalize nine settlements and build 10,000 new homes for settlers. Settlements established in Palestinian territories are illegal according to international law.
Blinken calls for a two-state model
The criticism, although diplomatically worded, was unusual because it was issued directly in the name of the foreign minister and not his spokesperson. Israel’s new policies came just moments after Blinken visited the region and specifically warned against settlement activity.
– Anything that takes us away from the vision of two states for two peoples is harmful in the long term to Israel’s security, its identity as a Jewish and democratic state, Blinken said on Monday.
According to Blinken, the action endangers the security, freedom, wealth and dignity of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The US Secretary of State has previously stated the President Joe Biden the prime minister evaluating the administration Benjamin Netanyahu the new hard-line right-wing government by its actions, not by the people involved.