Days of Palestine

Friday, March 31

US Establishes “Security Team” in Absence of Political Resolution Between PA and Israeli Occupation

US Establishes "Security Team" in Absence of Political Resolution Between PA and Israeli Occupation
M.Y | DOP -

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 ontheground monitoring to reduce the strain between the two sides, as reported by Palestinian officials.

After US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that theirimmediate task was to restore calm, he and a highlevel delegation, including Special Representative to the Palestinian Authority Hady Amr, concluded a twoday 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 deescalate, 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 longstanding 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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