Secretary of State Eli Cohen spoke Tuesday evening with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In the conversation, the two discussed dealing with the escalation in Judea and Samaria, Minister Cohen noted that the Israeli government will continue to fight Palestinian terrorism to the end and defend its citizens, and strongly condemned incidents in which civilians take the law into their own hands.
Minister Cohen strongly condemned incidents in which citizens take the law into their own hands and said that the government will take all necessary measures. Behind the escalation in Judea and Samaria, he added, "Iran's terrorist satellites are there. Stopping the Iranian nuclear project and expanding the circle of peace will bring regional stability and prosperity." The minister also noted progress in the process for Israel to join the US visa exemption.
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on the Palestinian initiative at the UN: "We will fight the Nakba lie"
The U.S. official devoted much of the conversation to cases of civilian violence. He expressed appreciation for the condemnations voiced by the prime minister, defense minister and foreign minister, but said more had to be done. Blinken also informed Cohen that the administration had not been able to obtain Saudi approval to operate direct Hajj flights from Israel to Saudi Arabia. He said "an effort will be made by both countries to have such flights next year."
The Iranian nuclear facility in Bushehr, photo: AP
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen: "Expanding the circle of normalization and peace in the Middle East, led by the United States, will advance the entire region and bring security, prosperity and stability. We will continue to work to build and strengthen our relations with other countries in the Middle East and beyond. I told the Secretary of State that behind the recent security escalation in Judea and Samaria are the terrorist satellites of the Iranian ayatollahs' regime. Iran directs terror throughout the Middle East, from Lebanon and Syria through Iraq and Yemen to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The international community must act firmly and unequivocally to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."
Cohen noted, "In a conversation with my friend, Secretary of State Blinken, I expressed my great appreciation to outgoing U.S. Ambassador Tom Nides for his central role in strengthening strategic ties between Israel and the United States and promoting visa exemption for Israeli citizens. We are in the final stages of the process, and I estimate that in October of this year we will be able to welcome the completion and bring good news to the citizens of Israel."
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