NEW YORK (77WABC) – Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the reopening of the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem during a visit to the region in support of the Gaza cease-fire on Tuesday.
The move restores ties with Palestinians that were downgraded by the Trump administration. The consulate was an office in charge of diplomatic relations with the Palestinians, but former President Donald Trump downgraded its operations and placed them under the authority of his ambassador to Israel when he moved the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Productive discussion today with Palestinian Authority President Abbas and PM Shtayyeh today. We discussed deepening America’s partnership with the Palestinians and spoke about the need to advance equal measures of freedom, security, and prosperity for Palestinians and Israelis. pic.twitter.com/RAHDseH7xj
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 25, 2021
“President Biden asked me to come here today, really, for four reasons,” Blinken said in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “First, to demonstrate the commitment of the United States to Israel’s security, to start to work toward greater stability and reduce tensions in the West Bank and Jerusalem, to support urgent humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for Gaza, to benefit the Palestinian people, and to continue to rebuild our relationship with the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority.”
Had a very good meeting with Israeli Prime Minister @Netanyahu today. I underscored America’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, and we discussed the importance of promoting peace, security, and dignity for all. https://t.co/z3qJbnwWSR pic.twitter.com/qog7mUKCrO
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 25, 2021
“Intense behind-the-scenes diplomacy led by President Biden, working very closely with the prime minister, helped produce last week’s ceasefire. Now, we believe we must build on it,” he added.
Blinken also met with Israeli Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, and Embassy Jerusalem Staff. The visit to the region comes after the 11-day war between Israel and Hamas rulers that killed more than 250 people and caused widespread destruction.
