WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Israeli counterpart on Friday that Israelis and Palestinians should enjoy “equal measures” of freedom, security, prosperity and democracy.
Blinken’s comments reflected more of a focus on the Palestinians than the pro-Israel policy conducted by US President Joe Biden’s Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.
Blinken made the point in a phone conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
A statement from State Department spokesman Ned Price said the two leaders discussed regional security challenges, humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, and the normalization of relations with Arab and Muslim majority countries.
Trump last year helped seal normalization deals between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. Biden has yet to focus heavily on adding more countries to the list. Some Arab countries want to see the long-standing dispute between Israel and the Palestinians resolved before agreeing to a deal.
“The secretary emphasized the administration’s belief that Israelis and Palestinians should enjoy equal measures of freedom, security, prosperity, and democracy,” Price said.
He said Blinken reiterated the United States’ “strong commitment to Israel and its security and looks forward to strengthening all aspects of the US-Israel partnership.”Later on Friday, President Joe Biden announced that the US would be lifting its sanctions on the International Criminal Court, which were announced during the Trump administration.
Blinken said Washington was taking the step even though it continued “to disagree strongly with the ICC’s actions relating to the Afghanistan and Palestinian situations.”
Blinken also spoke with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on Friday. The conversations with Askenazi and Al Zayani took place ahead of the US and Tehran’s expected negotiations on Tuesday.
Blinken tweeted that the two had a “good conversation” and that they discussed “Bahrain’s historic opening with Israel, advancing our Strategic Dialogue, elevating human rights, and safeguarding regional security. These initiatives will help us further regional peace and prosperity.Omri Nahmias contributed to this article.
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