Israel is blinking because of the escalating confrontation with the Palestinians

Antony Blinken, the secretary of state for the United States, arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday in advance of meetings calling for a reduction in the violence that has recently erupted in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On the second part of his Middle East trip, Washington’s top diplomat visited Israel after meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the nation’s foreign minister in Cairo.
A day after the worst army operation in years in the occupied West Bank claimed 10 Palestinian lives, Israel is still suffering from an incident on Friday that murdered seven people outside a synagogue in annexed east Jerusalem.

Blinken previously told Saudi TV channel Al Arabiya, “We’ve seen awful terrorist assaults in the last few of days that we condemn and abhor.”

Blinken stressed the “importance of working for a two-state solution” during a press conference on Monday in Cairo, calling on “all sides to calm things down and deescalate tensions”.

Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian motorist in the West Bank on Monday, according to officials from both sides. The army claimed the car had struck a soldier’s leg before swerving away.

35 Palestinian adults and children have died as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since the year began, including assailants, militants, and civilians.

Blinken stressed the “importance of working for a two-state solution” during a press conference on Monday in Cairo, calling on “all sides to calm things down and deescalate tensions”.

Threatening developments

Six Israeli civilians, including a child, and one civilian from Ukraine have perished within the same time period. In the incident on Friday outside the synagogue in an east Jerusalem settlement, all were shot and killed.

Blinken stressed the “importance of working for a two-state solution” during a press conference on Monday in Cairo, calling on “all sides to calm things down and deescalate tensions”.

Egypt, which has ties to Israel and has traditionally acted as a mediator in the Israel-Palestinian issue, has historically taken the lead in Middle East diplomacy under the direction of the United States.

Benjamin Netanyahu, a seasoned leader who came back to power late last year at the head of the most right-wing administration in Israeli history, was to meet with Blinken.

The US representative will also fly to Ramallah in the West Bank to meet with Mahmud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinians.

Late on Sunday night, Abbas met with CIA Director William Burns in Ramallah to address the “serious events”.

“Death spiral” – The most recent slaughter has increased worry around the world, and Pope Francis lamented the “death spiral” on Sunday.

Both Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and French President Emmanuel Macron called on all parties to exercise “maximum responsibility” in order to prevent a “spiral of violence” from developing.

On Monday, Blinken met with Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s foreign minister, before Sisi.

According to the State Department, Blinken praised Sisi for “Egypt’s significant contribution to promoting stability in the region” and “addressed ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.”

Egyptian diplomats and intelligence agencies are frequently requested to mediate between Israelis and Palestinians. Egypt is a major receiver of American military aid.

The Biden administration is attempting to swiftly communicate with Netanyahu, who had strained relations with the previous Democratic government under Barack Obama, in part through Blinken’s visit to Israel.

While there, Blinken was anticipated to reaffirm US support for the creation of a Palestinian state, a possibility that is unlikely to advance under the new Israeli administration.

According to the State Department, Blinken will advocate for upholding the status quo at the sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque complex in east Jerusalem.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right national security minister, provoked outrage when he visited the site earlier this month; Jordan is in charge of running it.

The complex is the third-most revered location in Islam and the holiest site for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.