U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a speech to the pro-Israel AIPAC lobby in Washington on Monday that normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia should also advance the two-state vision between Israel and the Palestinians.
He linked normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia and peace with the Palestinians (Photo: Reuters, None)
Why it's important:
- In his speech, Blinken made a direct link between promoting normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia and progress in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. He made the remarks a few hours before leaving for a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed in recent years that promoting normalization between Israel and the Arab world could also benefit the Israeli-Palestinian issue, but he rejects linking the two issues and wants to promote normalization separately from the Palestinian issue.
The United States has a security interest in promoting normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Biden with the crown prince (Photo: Reuters)
What they say:
- "The United States has a security interest in promoting normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. We believe we can play a role. It won't happen quickly or easily. But we are committed to working on that — including during my visit this week to Riyadh and Jeddah," Blinken said.
- The US secretary of state stressed, however, that normalization between Israel and its neighbors "is not a substitute for progress between Israel and the Palestinians, and the two issues should not come at the expense of each other. The process of deepening ties between Israel and its neighbors should also advance the improvement of the lives of Palestinians and the two-state vision."
'Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons' (Photo: Reuters)
The big picture:
Blinken addressed the Iranian nuclear issue, saying Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons and pledging that it would not. "We believe diplomacy is the best way to do that. Economic pressure and deterrence help us achieve this. If Iran doesn't agree, all options are on the table."
The US Secretary of State also spoke about the legal revolution in Israel and the discussions at the President's House. He said that the United States would work with the Israeli government to promote the shared democratic values that underlie relations between the two countries, noting in particular the separation of powers, checks and balances and justice for all Israeli citizens.
"We will speak respectfully and honestly with our Israeli friends. As Israel's leaders debate this issue — we will welcome any broad consensus on legal reform — this is the best way to ensure that this reform endures," Blinken said.
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