He considered the peace process the "only way" forward

Blinken stresses the need for a two-state solution

Al-Sisi during his reception with Blinken in Cairo yesterday.

A.F.B

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel and the Palestinians to de-escalate tensions during his visit to Israel yesterday, emphasized the need for a two-state solution, and viewed the long-stalled peace process as the "only way" forward.

And while arrows of criticism focused on a shooting incident carried out by a Palestinian outside a Jewish synagogue, which put Israel on high alert, Blinken also warned against any action in response.

Seven people were shot dead in Friday's attack, by a man from East Jerusalem, before he was shot dead by police.

He had no known links to armed groups.

This came in the wake of an Israeli raid on the West Bank town of Jenin, on Thursday, in which 10 Palestinians, most of them armed, were killed.

According to health officials, at least 35 Palestinians, including armed men and civilians, have been killed in the violence since January 1.

"It is everyone's responsibility to take steps to calm tensions instead of exacerbating them," Blinken told reporters after his plane landed in Tel Aviv.

He said Friday's incident "was more than just an attack on individuals.

It was an attack on one's practice of one's faith, which we condemn in the strongest terms."

He added, “We also condemn all celebration of these terrorist acts, and any other terrorist acts that claim the lives of innocent people, regardless of the identity of the victims or what they believe in.

Calls for revenge for more innocent victims are not the solution.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on more citizens to take up arms as a precaution in the face of such street attacks, but also warned Israelis against resorting to violence.

Blinken is scheduled to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.

Palestinian officials said that Israeli settlers, yesterday, set fire to two cars near the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, and threw stones at a house near Ramallah, after a similar attack Sunday.

In new bloodshed, Palestinian officials said that Israeli forces killed a 26-year-old man at a checkpoint in the West Bank.

The last round of US-sponsored talks on creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel stalled in 2014.

Netanyahu's new government includes partners who oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state.

During his remarks in Cairo, Blinken said that Washington has a firm belief in "the two-state solution through negotiations, as the only way to a lasting solution to the conflict."

Blinken discussed with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, in Cairo, a number of regional and international issues of common interest, foremost of which is the recent escalation in the Palestinian territories, the issue of the Renaissance Dam, and the Russian war in Ukraine.

In a press conference after the meeting, Shoukry affirmed Egypt's keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries, for the common interests of the two peoples, noting that there is a wide convergence of strategic interests, and consistency in the visions of the two countries towards a number of regional and international issues.

For his part, Blinken expressed his appreciation for Egypt's participation in the America-Africa Summit in Washington, Egypt's hosting of the Climate Change Summit (COP 27), and Egypt's participation in the Negev Forum, which reflects the extent of commitment and appreciation between our two countries for the partnership, and the importance of that partnership for the region and the world alike. .

Shoukry said that there is cooperation for stability in the Middle East, advancing development efforts and working to stabilize the Middle East, in accordance with the principles of international legitimacy that we are working to promote.

He pointed out that Blinken met with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, as the Palestinian issue occupied a large amount of discussions between them, and stressed that it is important to achieve stability, prevent any kind of escalation, and reach a two-state solution.

Blinken said that Egypt played an important role in easing tension between the Palestinians and the Israelis to reach a truce in 2021, and there is a frightening escalation of violence currently, and we discussed how to work together to reduce tension.

Shoukry said that he also discussed with Blinken the Renaissance Dam, and the importance of continuing joint action to preserve the interests of all parties in accordance with the rules of international law and Egyptian water security.

Blinken indicated that Egypt supports Washington's efforts to achieve progress with regard to Ukraine.

He said that the war has an impact on the countries and on the Egyptian people, as Egypt is the largest importer of wheat, most of which is from Ukraine and Russia, adding that Washington wants to ease the pressures that Egypt feels, and that there is an investment of $50 million to support the agricultural sector in Egypt.

 Blinken discussed with Shukri the recent escalation in the Palestinian territories, the issue of the Renaissance Dam, and the Russian war in Ukraine.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news