Status: 05.12.2022 04:12 a.m
According to Foreign Minister Blinken, the USA wants to maintain its support for Israel, but oppose a possible exclusion of the Palestinians. In this regard, Blinken mentioned in particular an expansion of Jewish settlements.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned the future Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu against further settlements in the occupied West Bank. The US government will continue to “unequivocally oppose any action that undermines the prospects for a two-state solution,” he told pro-Israel US organization J Street.
Among other things, Blinken mentioned “the expansion of settlements” and “steps towards an annexation of the West Bank”. Such a policy would be detrimental to Israel’s long-term security and future as a Jewish democratic state. “We expect the new Israeli government to continue to work with us to advance our shared values, as we have done with previous governments,” Blinken said
Flashing assures further support
At the same time, Blinken emphasized that the US government’s support for Israel’s security was “untouchable”. The US respected the “democratic decision of the Israeli people,” he said, referring to the parliamentary elections. The new Israeli government will be judged by the policies it pursues and not by individuals.
New governing coalition not yet in place
Israel’s designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently signed a coalition agreement with the far-right Religious Zionism party, among others. Among other things, the party will receive a post in the Defense Ministry, which will be responsible for the Jewish settlements. The only thing missing for the head of the Likud party now is the support of two ultra-Orthodox parties for a governing majority.
Israel has occupied the Palestinian West Bank since 1967. Around 475,000 Israelis live in the area in settlements whose construction, according to large parts of the international community, is contrary to international law.