update desk

Blinken expresses ‘deep concern’ over Judea and Samaria violence

In calls to Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas and outgoing Israeli premier Yair Lapid, the U.S. Secretary of State emphasized the need “to de-escalate the situation urgently.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on May 25, 2021. Photo by Flash90.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on May 25, 2021. Photo by Flash90.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday warned Israeli and Palestinian leaders of the “urgent” need to restore calm in Judea and Samaria, amid a surge in Palestinian attacks and Israeli counter-terrorism operations in the territory.

In a call with Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, the top American diplomat “underscored his deep concern over the situation … including heightened tensions, violence, and loss of both Palestinian and Israeli lives, and emphasized the need for all parties to de-escalate the situation urgently,” according to State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

Price said that Blinken also discussed with Abbas “joint efforts to improve the quality of life for the Palestinian people and enhance their security and freedom,” and “further reaffirmed [Washington’s] commitment to a two-state solution.”

According to the official P.A. news agency WAFA, Abbas updated Blinken on “[Israeli] blockades, extrajudicial killings, home demolitions and settlement construction, in addition to settlers’ violence and violations carried out against the ‘occupied’ city of Jerusalem and its Muslim and Christian holy sites.”

The call came after Blinken on Thursday conveyed the same warning during a phone conversation with outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, according to a separate statement.

Blinken also commended Israel for its “free and fair” elections, thanked Lapid for his partnership, and “reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Israel bilateral relationship.”

Meanwhile, the 13-year-old Israeli girl who was struck in the head by gunfire on Thursday in the town of Kiryat Arba has regained consciousness and is breathing on her own, according to media reports.

Also on Thursday, three Israeli police officers were wounded in a terrorist attack in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City.

The same day, Israeli security forces tracked down and killed Farouk Salama, 28, leader of the Jenin branch of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

You have read 3 articles this month.
Register to receive full access to JNS.

Just before you scroll on...

Israel is at war. JNS is combating the stream of misinformation on Israel with real, honest and factual reporting. In order to deliver this in-depth, unbiased coverage of Israel and the Jewish world, we rely on readers like you. The support you provide allows our journalists to deliver the truth, free from bias and hidden agendas. Can we count on your support? Every contribution, big or small, helps JNS.org remain a trusted source of news you can rely on.

Become a part of our mission by donating today
Topics
Comments
Thank you. You are a loyal JNS Reader.
You have read more than 10 articles this month.
Please register for full access to continue reading and post comments.
Never miss a thing
Get the best stories faster with JNS breaking news updates