U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Arrives In Israel For A Two Day Visit

 

Reuters: Blinken reaffirms need for two-state solution as he lands in Israel 

TEL AVIV (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel and Palestinians to calm tensions as he visited on Monday during the worst violence in years, reaffirming a long-stalled peace vision as the "only path" forward. 

While focusing censure on a Palestinian gun spree outside a synagogue that has put Israel on high alert, Blinken also cautioned against any celebration or avenging of such bloodshed. 

Seven people were shot dead in Friday's attack by an East Jerusalem man who was himself killed by police. Lionised by many fellow Palestinians, he had no known links to militant groups. 

A day earlier, Israel carried out an unusually deep raid on Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, killing 10 residents, most of them gunmen. At least 35 Palestinians, including fighters and civilians, have died in violence surging since Jan. 1, medical officials say.  

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WNU Editor: The US and Israel have just completed the largest joint military exercise ever. The CIA Director was in Israel just a few days ago. And now U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives for a two day visit. Something is obviously up. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Arrives In Israel For A Two Day Visit  

WATCH LIVE: Blinken meets with Israeli leader Netanyahu for news briefing after surge in violence -- PBS Blinken urges Israel-Palestinian calm as violence soars -- AP  

Blinken calls for ‘urgent steps to restore calm’ between Israel, Palestinians -- France 24  

Palestinian man killed at West Bank checkpoint as Blinken begins Middle East trip -- The Guardian  

Blinken visit reaches new urgency as Israeli, Palestinian tensions boil -- CNN