NEW DELHI: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the potential for Israel to establish normal diplomatic relations with its Arab neighbors in the coming months. Blinken also stressed the importance of creating a Palestinian state.
He acknowledged the genuine efforts made by Arab countries to strengthen the Palestinian Authority’s representation of the Palestinian people.According to Blinken, the majority of Arab nations are now eager to integrate Israel into the region, normalize relations, and provide security commitments to ensure Israel’s safety.
He emphasized the urgent need to proceed with the establishment of a Palestinian state that guarantees Israel’s security. The Biden administration is actively working towards a comprehensive agreement to normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, with the creation of a Palestinian state as a key component.
Moreover, the US is engaged in negotiations to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas since their attack on Israel. During his visit to Munich, Blinken met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to discuss the hostage situation and explore opportunities for a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The resolution of these issues is instrumental in advancing discussions on the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which had been temporarily halted after the attack but have now resumed. The future structure of Gaza, the reform of the Palestinian Authority, and the establishment of a pathway to a Palestinian state are all interconnected and crucial factors in ongoing negotiations, according to US officials.
(With agency inputs)
He acknowledged the genuine efforts made by Arab countries to strengthen the Palestinian Authority’s representation of the Palestinian people.According to Blinken, the majority of Arab nations are now eager to integrate Israel into the region, normalize relations, and provide security commitments to ensure Israel’s safety.
He emphasized the urgent need to proceed with the establishment of a Palestinian state that guarantees Israel’s security. The Biden administration is actively working towards a comprehensive agreement to normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, with the creation of a Palestinian state as a key component.
Moreover, the US is engaged in negotiations to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas since their attack on Israel. During his visit to Munich, Blinken met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to discuss the hostage situation and explore opportunities for a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The resolution of these issues is instrumental in advancing discussions on the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which had been temporarily halted after the attack but have now resumed. The future structure of Gaza, the reform of the Palestinian Authority, and the establishment of a pathway to a Palestinian state are all interconnected and crucial factors in ongoing negotiations, according to US officials.
(With agency inputs)
