Over the past week, United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged with leaders from Turkey, Israel, Palestine, Ireland, Germany, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, the United Nations (UN), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
May 21, 2021
Secretary Blinken on Friday spoke with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and discussed their countries’ bilateral relations, as well as their shared interests in Syria and Afghanistan. Blinken reaffirmed the US’ support for talks between Turkey and Greece over their maritime differences, and “emphasized the importance of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
May 24, 2021
UAE
On Monday, Blinken held talks with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed via telephone. The leaders expressed their support for the ceasefire in Gaza and stressed the need to find ways to ensure lasting peace in the region. Blinken thanked his counterpart for the UAE’s efforts in de-escalating the conflict, and also emphasised the importance of helping reconstruct Gaza.
Germany
The secretary also spoke with his German counterpart Heiko Maas on Monday and discussed the situations in Belarus, Gaza and developments related to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. They also exchanged views on the importance of revitalising the NATO alliance through its 2030 strategy.
Ireland
Blinken then met with Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney. The leaders reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship between their nations and discussed the “outrageous diversion” of Ryanair Flight 4978 in Belarus, the status of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Ireland’s role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and other shared foreign policy priorities.
May 25, 2021
Israel
On Tuesday, Blinken began his inaugural Middle East tour, making his first stop in Jerusalem to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In remarks to the press following their talks, the top US diplomat said that he trip was intended to address four points, ensuring US commitment to Israel’s security; working towards reducing tensions in West Bank and Jerusalem; supporting humanitarian assistance for Gaza, and continuing to rebuild relations with Palestine.
Blinken also underscored that the US “fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself” against thousands of rockets fired by Hamas. In this respect, he said that both sides discussed Israel’s security needs, including “replenishing the Iron Dome,” missile defence system. The leaders also exchanged views on the “intercommunal violence that erupted in Israel” as well the “shocking eruption of anti-Semitic attacks” in the US during hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
Netanyahu further mentioned that both sides had spoken about many regional issues, especially the US re-joining the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. The Israeli PM expressed his opposition to the deal and said that it “paves the way for Iran to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons with international legitimacy.” Netanyahu warned that “whatever happens, Israel will always reserve the right to defend itself against a regime committed to our [Israel’s] destruction.”
Apart from PM Netanyahu, Blinken also met with Israeli Alternate Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Benjamin Gantz, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, and President Reuven Rivlin, and reaffirmed the US “ironclad” commitment to the security of the Jewish state.
Palestine
The secretary then headed to Ramallah in the West Bank to meet with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas. The leaders expressed deep remorse at the loss of lives in the recent hostilities in Gaza and discussed the urgent need to ensure that the truce holds. Blinken underscored the US’ commitment to rebuild relations with the PA and Palestinian people, based on “mutual respect and also a shared conviction that Palestinians and Israelis alike deserve equal measures of freedom, security, opportunity, and dignity.”
To this end, the secretary announced that Washington was working to reopen its consulate in Jerusalem to better engage with and provide support to the Palestinian people. He also announced that America intends to “provide $75 million in additional development and economic assistance for the Palestinians in 2021 [and] $5.5 million in immediate disaster assistance for Gaza and a little over $32 million for UNRWA’s emergency humanitarian appeal.”
Abbas, on his part, acknowledged the “difficult conditions” of the leaders’ meeting, and expressed gratitude to the US for its support to the state of Palestine, for its commitment to maintaining the “status quo in Jerusalem”, and to preserving the two-state solution. He also mentioned that he hoped to establish a “national unity government” in Gaza and the West Bank and called on Hamas to “abide by international legitimacy resolutions” if such a scenario materialised. Additionally, Abbas blamed Israel’s refusal to allow Palestinians to vote in East Jerusalem, which Israel considers its sovereign capital, behind his decision to postpone the first Palestinian elections since 2006.
May 26, 2021
Egypt
On the final day of his Middle East trip, Blinken visited Cairo, to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. Blinken expressed US President Joe Biden’s appreciation for Egypt’s “critical mediation efforts” in support of the ceasefire in Gaza, and for the country’s help in safely evacuating American citizens. While reaffirming the “strong strategic partnership” between the two sides, the diplomat also reiterated Washington’s commitment to Egypt’s water security, and to the “urgent resumption of substantive and results-oriented negotiations under the leadership of the African Union to resolve the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).”
The officials also spoke about the situations in Libya and Iraq. According to a readout of their meeting, Blinken “stressed the importance of human rights, and the two leaders agreed to engage in a constructive dialogue.”
Jordan
The secretary then headed to Amman, Jordan, where he met with King Abdullah II. They both expressed support for the Gaza ceasefire and discussed measures that could be implemented to ensure that it lasts. Blinken reiterated that “Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live safely and securely, and to enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and democracy,” and said that the US looked forward to working with the Hashemite Kingdom to advance this vision in “tangible ways.”
Blinken also spoke of the US’ respect for Jordan’s role in the holy sites in Jerusalem and emphasised its commitment to the “historic status quo” at these places. The leaders then discussed regional issues such as those of Iraq and Syria, and the diplomat “commended King Abdullah II for Jordan’s leadership supporting peace in the region.” The pair also reaffirmed their commitment to their bilateral strategic partnership and said that they hoped to make it even stronger.
May 27, 2021
Qatar
On Thursday, Blinken spoke with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. The diplomat thanked his counterpart for Qatar’s help in securing a ceasefire between Hamas, Israel and other parties in Gaza, and stressed the need to shore up international humanitarian and development support to help rebuild the territory. Blinken also commended Doha for “advancing peace and security in the region, including Qatar’s support for Afghanistan peace negotiations.”
Saudi Arabia
The secretary then held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud via telephone. The leaders expressed support for the Gaza ceasefire, and exchanged views on ways to “reduce risk of further conflict.” They also spoke about the need to help Gaza with humanitarian and development assistance.
United Nations (UN)
Blinken also spoke with the UN Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace Tor Wennesland on Thursday. They “discussed the critical humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people and underscored the need for rapid and unimpeded movement of relief and recovery supplies that also ensures assistance goes to the Palestinian people and not Hamas.” They also highlighted the need to prevent violence from recurring.
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
During his discussion with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the leaders exchanged views on the upcoming NATO summit next month as well as the military alliance’s significance in ensuring the “the security and prosperity of the Transatlantic community and the world.” In this regard, they also emphasised the importance of “adapting and modernizing NATO to meet the challenges of the 21st century, including by advancing the NATO 2030 initiative.”
Vietnam
Blinken also spoke with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on Thursday. The diplomats “celebrated the strength of the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership,” and reaffirmed their “shared commitment to protecting and preserving the rules-based order in the South China Sea.” They further discussed the situation in Myanmar, ways to tackle climate change, as well as their COVID-19 response efforts. Blinken also “emphasised US commitment to ASEAN centrality, the Mekong-US Partnership, and support of a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam that respects human rights and the rule of law.”