US State Secretary Blinken arrives in Israel

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday arrived in Israel and is scheduled to meet with leaders from Israel and the Palestinian authority during his Middle East tour until Thursday. The discussions will include proposals from Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

Blinken announced on Monday that several Arab countries and Turkey were willing to collaborate with the US to rebuild Gaza, determine its political future, and establish lasting peace, security, and stability in the region.

During his tour, Blinken also visited Turkey, Greece, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. In a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, Blinken mentioned the crown prince’s “clear interest” in establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, contingent on practical steps towards ending the conflict in Gaza and establishing a Palestinian state.

“The interest is there, it’s real, it can change the situation,” said Blinken.According to the Associated Press, the agreement of Arab countries and Turkey to prepare for Gaza’s restoration signals a shift in their stance, as they previously rejected similar calls from the US., insisting on a ceasefire and improved conditions for Palestinians in Gaza as prerequisites.

Blinken will conclude his tour in Egypt, where he will meet with the country’s president. This marks Blinken’s fourth trip to the Middle East in the last three months, with the main White House goal being to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating into a regional crisis.