Blinken Meets With Netanyahu, Herzog, Reafirms US Support for Palestinian State

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on Wednesday to discuss peace and security issues in the region amid the ongoing war with Gaza in talks that were described by the Prime Minister’s Office as “long and in-depth.”

According to a statement from Blinken’s office, he reiterated the United States’ “support for Israel’s right to ensure the terrorist attacks of Oct. 7 are never repeated,” emphasizing the necessity of protecting civilians living in the conflict zone. The discussions also focused on securing the release of hostages and enhancing humanitarian aid to displaced civilians in Gaza, highlighting the broader vision for achieving durable peace and security in the region.

Additionally, Blinken’s office stated that he reaffirmed support for the creation of a Palestinian state, marking it as a crucial step towards securing lasting peace and mutual security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Israel’s Channel 13 reported that Blinken—reflecting on the civilian toll of Israel’s war with Hamas—shared with Netanyahu his personal distress over the casualties, particularly the children killed in Gaza. Blinken also stressed the need for de-escalation in the West Bank to prevent the conflict from expanding further.

Blinken also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, marking their sixth meeting since Oct 7. Herzog expressed his gratitude towards President Joe Biden for his steadfast support of Israel. Herzog also emphasized, “We do not have a war with the citizens of Gaza. We have a war with Hamas” while advocating for humanitarian efforts and rejecting harm to civilians. He also highlighted the potential for normalization between Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, calling it a historic opportunity for regional peace.