IRIA News

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the Middle East with a mission to prevent war in the region and to show solidarity with Israel after the Hamas attack. America’s top diplomat is visiting Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt from October 11 to 15, 2023.

According to a statement released by the U.S. State Department, the main aim behind the Secretary’s trip is to reiterate the U.S.’s condemnation of the terrorist attacks in Israel in the strongest terms. Blinken also reaffirmed the United States’ solidarity with the government and people of Israel.

During his visit, Blinken engaged with the regional partners in efforts to help prevent the conflict from spreading further, secure the immediate and safe release of hostages, and identify mechanisms for the protection of civilians.

As my trip through the Middle East continues, I will meet with Saudi partners to discuss Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel and the need to work together to prevent the conflict from spreading. pic.twitter.com/sNiorG4Wdr

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 13, 2023

‘I come before you as a Jew,’ Blinken tells Israel

Israel was the first destination of Blinken’s travel plan. Owing to his Jewish ancestry, Blinken did not shy away from making emotional remarks about the current situation of conflict in Israel. “I come before you not only as the United States secretary of state but also as a Jew.” Antony Blinken addressed Israeli people during a live-streamed press conference in Tel Aviv.

“The message I bring to Israel is this: You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself. But as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to,” he said, speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

During their bilateral meeting in Tel Aviv, Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called on countries around the world to condemn the deadly surprise attacks by Hamas, saying this is a moment for “moral clarity.”

Netanyahu thanked Blinken for coming to Israel in the middle of the crisis and for America’s support while giving an emotional account of the attacks that have killed more than 1,000 Israelis.

Met with Israeli President @Isaac_Herzog to discuss the situation on the ground and reaffirm our unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorism. pic.twitter.com/QDWIs4tzor

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 12, 2023

“The burning of people alive, the beheadings, the kidnappings of a young boy not only kidnapped, molested, hurt, but the attack and the sickening display of celebrating these horrors, the celebration and glorification of evil. President Biden was correct in calling this sheer evil,” Netanyahu said.

“This is a moment where everyone needs to make clear that there is revulsion and disgust and the determination not to allow this to go forward. So, images are worth 1,000 words. These images may be worth a million,” Antony Blinken said referring to the photos of beheaded children that Netanyahu showed him during their private meeting.

Blinken’s visit to Israel is a major diplomatic support for Tel Aviv from Washington, which has also provided billions of dollars worth of military aid to Israel.

US Citizens departing Israel            

During his trip to Israel, Blinken highlighted that a lot of U.S. citizens have been affected by the attacks while several are also being held as hostages by Hamas. The number of U.S. citizens confirmed dead in the Hamas attack in Israel over the weekend has risen to 27, with 14 more still unaccounted for.

The U.S. State Department released a detailed document noting that the government will arrange charter flights to assist U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who have been unable to book commercial transit and seek a safe means of departing Israel.

Meeting with the President of the Palestinian Authority

After concluding his trip in Israel, Blinken flew to Jordan where he was scheduled to meet with the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The meeting took place in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on October 13.

According to the State Department press release, “The Secretary reiterated the United States’ unequivocal condemnation of the abhorrent terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel.  The Secretary also detailed U.S. efforts to coordinate with partners to prevent the conflict from widening.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the U.S. Secretary of State that the Palestinian people have rejected the evacuation ordered by the Israeli forces. He said that such an event would constitute a “second Nakba,” referring to the mass displacement of Palestinians in the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation.

Blinken also met Jordan’s King Abdullah II to discuss the ongoing situation in the region. King Abdullah called for “opening humanitarian corridors to allow for the entry of urgent medical and relief aid to Gaza, and protecting civilians and stopping the escalation and war on Gaza.”

Jordan and other Arab leadership are worried that a regional wave of violence arising from the Israel-Palestine war could have repercussions in the neighboring countries where a large percentage of the Palestinian population resides.

The U.S. secretary of state also visited Qatar to meet the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During their talks, they discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Secretary Blinken posted on social media, “I expressed appreciation for Qatar’s efforts to secure the return of hostages.”

Spoke with Qatar’s Amir today about the terrorist attacks in Israel and the ongoing conflict with Hamas. I expressed appreciation for Qatar’s efforts to secure the return of hostages. pic.twitter.com/hpuJ3TkgZj

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 13, 2023

Blinken also met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Bahrain’s Crown Prince-Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to discuss the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. According to Blinken he also discussed regional stability and security with the leaders of Bahrain and Qatar and agreed to work to prevent the conflict from spreading.

Since the start of the conflict, Blinken has spoken on the phone with his counterparts from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. Blinken would also be making Egypt, and UAE before heading back to Washington.

Thousands gathered in Amman to show support for Palestine  

Meanwhile, as the U.S. Secretary of State Blinken arrived in Jordan, thousands of people gathered in Amman for a demonstration in support of Palestinians.

More than 10,000 people massed in the center of the city near the Grand Husseini Mosque after the Friday prayers waving Palestinian flags and holding banners reading: “The victory march will continue, solidarity with Palestine” and “Stand with Palestine, Liberated Palestine”.

Similar demonstrations erupted all over the Arab and Islamic world on Friday. From Baghdad to Jakarta, Tehran to Islamabad, thousands of people took to the streets protesting against Israel for its aerial attacks in the Gaza Strip. People in Europe and the Americas are also protesting Israel’s carpet bombing and the possible ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.