Source: China State Council Information Office
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday that his country will go ahead with the process of reopening its consulate in East Jerusalem and strengthen its ties with the Palestinian Authority.
Blinken made the remarks to reporters after he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem was closed in late 2017 when former U.S. president Donald Trump recognized the disputed holy city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The Palestinians regard East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 war, as the capital of their future independent Palestinian state.
Dominic Raab landed in Israel last night to call for ‘an end to the cycle of violence’. The Foreign Secretary arrived for talks with senior leaders following the Israel-Gaza ceasefire.
Today he will meet Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.
Mr Raab said it was ‘crucial’ all sides focus on ensuring the ceasefire lasts. He said: ‘Events of the last month demonstrate the urgent need to make genuine progress towards a more positive future for both Israelis and Palestinians. The UK supports a two-state solution as the best way to deliver a lasting peace.’
Opinion: Biden's conduct during the latest round of fighting in Gaza reassured Jerusalem that it will have Washington's support no matter what, but in return will have to align with U.S. efforts to rewrite the reality in the region
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is this week visiting the Middle East, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, among others. The visit is focused on “maintaining the ceasefire, getting the assistance to the people who need it,” according to a State Department official. This is quite a modest target for an