Posted on 01/29/23
| News Source: Arutz-7
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken took off on Saturday night for a trip to the Middle East which will see him visiting Israel.
“Headed to Egypt, Israel, and the West Bank. My fourth trip to the region as Secretary underscores our commitment to deepen bilateral relationships and people-to-people ties, promote human rights, and strengthen regional and global security,” he tweeted, adding photos of himself before take-off.
Headed to Egypt, Israel, and the West Bank. My fourth trip to the region as Secretary underscores our commitment to deepen bilateral relationships and people-to-people ties, promote human rights, and strengthen regional and global security. pic.twitter.com/6UPtKCmuAd
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 28, 2023
The State Department announced Blinken’s visit late last week, saying the Secretary of State would “consult with partners on a range of global and regional priorities, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Iran, Israeli-Palestinian relations and preserving the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the protection of human rights and democratic values, among other topics.”
Blinken will visit Egypt on Sunday and Monday, where he will meet with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and senior Egyptian officials.
On Monday, he will then move on to Jerusalem and Ramallah. In Israel, he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, and other senior leaders to discuss the enduring US support for Israel’s security, particularly against threats from Iran.