A United States security team has been dispatched to Jerusalem in order to facilitate communication between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli occupation regarding security issues, as well as to provide on–the–ground monitoring to reduce the strain between the two sides, as reported by Palestinian officials.
After US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that their “immediate task“ was to restore calm, he and a high–level delegation, including Special Representative to the Palestinian Authority Hady Amr, concluded a two–day visit to the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian territories.
After meeting with President Abbas in Ramallah Tuesday afternoon, Blinken stated that it is essential to take steps to de–escalate, curb the violence, diminish tensions, and establish a basis for more beneficial activities in the future.
The US secretary of state again voiced opposition to the establishment of settlements, legalization of outposts, demolitions and evictions, and changes in the long–standing status quo of religious sites. He declared that these activities make it harder to reach the “desired” outcome of two separate states.
He reiterated the assurance Joe Biden made when he first assumed office to open the consulate in Jerusalem, although the plan was blocked by the Israeli opposition.
On Monday, US secretary of state Antony Blinken had a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The next day, he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
In January, the Israeli occupation forces killed over thirty Palestinians due to Israeli aggressions in multiple Palestinian cities.
Antony Blinken assured the Palestinian Authority of further economic assistance, and also pledged an additional US$50 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
An accord was also struck in the realm of telecommunications to bring fourth generation (4G) technology to the occupied West Bank.
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