Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that the US would provide $75 million in additional assistance to Palestinians following the 11-day Israeli bombardment of Gaza. Blinken announced the new aid from Ramallah in the West Bank during a joint press conference with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
“The United States will notify Congress of our intention to provide $75m in additional development and economic assistance to the Palestinians in 2021,” Blinken said. He added that the US will also provide $5.5 million for “immediate disaster assistance” for Gaza and about $32 million for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
Earlier on Tuesday, Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed that the US “fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself.” Blinken said President Biden had a “personal” commitment to Israel. “He has been one of Israel’s most steadfast supporters for the last 50 years,” Blinken said of Biden. After meeting with Blinken, Netanyahu warned that any future rocket fire from Gaza would be met with a “very powerful” Israeli response.
The latest violence was sparked by planned evictions of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem. When asked if he got a commitment from Netanyahu or other Israeli leaders not to go through with these evictions, Blinken did not give a clear answer and only said, “I’ll let our partners speak for themselves.”
Before approving new aid for the Palestinians, the State Department approved a $735 million arms sale to Israel. After the Gaza ceasefire was reached last week, President Biden vowed to “replenish” the Iron Dome, one of Israel’s missile-defense systems. The Biden administration stood firmly behind Israel during the Gaza onslaught and failed to condemn Israeli airstrikes that killed Palestinian children.
During his meeting with Israeli and Palestinian officials, Blinken stressed the importance of the ceasefire, and said the two sides must ultimately work towards a two-state solution. But Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have made a two-state solution no longer a realistic option, and until settlements are addressed, the crisis will not be solved, and violence will continue.
The continuation of violence has remained the most fundamental strategic tool Israel possesses. Violence is provoked through outrageous acts of humiliation and abuse, trashing all international laws, including UN Resolutions US signed. Violence is helpful, as the moment attention has been removed, swift actions of land grab continue apace.
Blinken clearly does not believe in international laws and US obligations. Occupier has no rights to dispose of the property on occupied territory. Cannot use its resources nor land. Cannot evict and demolish homes. Especially cannot organize global immigration in order to build settlements on occupied territory, and alter population composition. All these and more are violated by Israel.
There will be no two state
solution — as the settlement render it impossible. There will be no one state solution until Palestinians become minority.
The position globally has hardened. This conflict may end up sucking Biden in — in spite of his best efforts to quickly leave it behind. Israel is US blind spot. May get into accident there.
What if Egypt takes its job seriously to secure cease fire and prevent any further attacks coming from Gaza? That would mean a serious engagement with Hamas, addressing Gaza’s multitude of problems. And at the same time — become a trip wire, creating a real obstacle to any future bombing.
It will be very interesting to see what comes from meetings in Jordan and Egypt.
It will be also interesting to see if this massive arms gift to Israel results in a Netanyahu win — blocking the proposed coalition minus Netanyahu. If the coalition is scrapped — a possible new election. Another day to fight looming court decision in Bibi’s peculiar twist on 1001 nights.
The solution is so simple.
Enforce the 60 UN Resolutions regarding Israel and Palestine that Washington signed.
That’s it???
We give Israel $3.8 billion in military stuff, plus, $735 million in precision guides missiles, and the Palestinians get just $75 million to “help” clean up the mess??
It is so f-cked…………………..
Blinken knows full well that what is rebuilt will be knocked down again, and again. He can take his beanie and shove it where the sun don’t shine. He knows Bibi will NEVER let up until all Palestinians are gone.
Fu-ck Blinken…………..
The Americans feeling a little guilty then ? .
Blinken is lying.
He also allowed the US to be humiliated by Netanyahu.
Yes, he’s lying. Population of Gaza is more than 2 million people. $5.5 million bucks will provide the equivalent of a single McGreasy Happy Meal to each inhabitant – in the unlikley event the Apartheid state allows any of it to go into Gaza.