The top American diplomat is slated to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
By JNS
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken touched down in Israel on Thursday morning, as the Jewish state’s war against the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip entered its sixth day.
The top American diplomat is slated to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, among other top officials.
Blinken is also slated to meet with Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas in neighboring Jordan on Friday.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday before boarding his plane, Blinken said he was heading to Israel to deliver a clear message on behalf of the United States.
“We have the back of the Israeli people. We have their back today, we’ll have it tomorrow. We will have it every day,” he said.
“The secretary will reiterate his condolences for the victims of the terrorist attacks against Israel and condemn those attacks in the strongest terms,” said U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on Tuesday.
Blinken will “reaffirm the United States’ solidarity with the government and people of Israel. He will also discuss measures to bolster Israel’s security and underscore the United States’ unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself,” added Miller.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke again with Netanyahu on Wednesday. The U.S. president and Israeli prime minister have spoken four times since the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7.
Netanyahu thanked Biden “for his powerful words of support following their previous conversation yesterday, and for his unequivocal support for the State of Israel,” according to Israel’s Government Press Office.
Biden and Harris discussed “ongoing U.S. support for Israel as Israel defends itself and protects its people,” according to the White House. “The leaders agreed to stay in regular contact in the face of an unprecedented and appalling assault by Hamas terrorists.”
“This has brought to the surface scars of antisemitism and genocide,” Biden said after the call. “There’s no excuse for terrorism. We are committed to the safety and security of Israel and the Jewish people.”