Blinken: US backs steps for Palestinian state

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a discussion with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday, focusing on the reform of the Palestinian self-governing authority. This conversation is part of a broader U.S. effort to support post-war reconstruction plans in Gaza, which include significant steps towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Blinken has gathered support from various countries in the Middle East to aid in Gaza’s rebuilding and governance after the recent conflict with Hamas. He emphasized that further normalization between Israel and Arab nations could be possible, but it hinges on progress towards forming a Palestinian state.

During their meeting in Ramallah, a city in the West Bank, Blinken assured Abbas of the U.S.’s support for “tangible steps towards the creation of a Palestinian state,” as reported by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. Their discussions included topics on administrative reform.

However, the plan proposed by Blinken faces significant challenges. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration is firmly against the idea of a Palestinian state next to Israel. Additionally, the Palestinian leadership, which is backed by Western nations and lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007, is viewed as lacking legitimacy by many Palestinians.

The situation in Gaza remains tense and unresolved, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the area. The ongoing conflict has also sparked increased violence between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, raising concerns about a broader regional conflict.

Blinken, on his fourth trip to the region since the war began three months ago, has met with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey. He reports that these nations are open to participating in post-war efforts in exchange for progress on establishing a Palestinian state.

The Saudi Ambassador to the U.K., Prince Khalid bin Bandar, stated on Tuesday to the BBC that Saudi Arabia remains interested in a landmark normalization agreement with Israel, which must include the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Following his meeting with Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials, Blinken urged Israel to cease activities that undermine Palestinian self-governance, such as settlement expansions, home demolitions, and evictions in the West Bank. He also acknowledged that the Palestinian Authority needs to undertake internal reforms and governance improvements. Blinken noted that Abbas, who has not participated in elections since 2005 and is struggling with domestic support, needs to address these issues.

The Palestinian Authority, which manages parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank under interim peace agreements from the 1990s, collaborates with Israel on security. However, it has been unable to stop the expansion of settlements in territories it desires for a future state. There have been no substantial peace talks since Netanyahu’s return to office in 2009.

The Biden administration has struggled to secure even minor concessions from Israel for the Palestinians, such as transferring tax revenues or reopening a U.S. Consulate for Palestinians in east Jerusalem.

Later that Wednesday, Abbas was scheduled to meet with the leaders of Jordan and Egypt in Aqaba, Jordan. These two nations, allies of the U.S., have historically played mediator roles in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The conflict in Gaza continues with no clear resolution in sight. Israel remains committed to its military campaign against Hamas, intending to maintain control over the territory. The fighting has displaced a significant portion of Gaza’s population, with many facing critical shortages of food, water, and medicine due to an Israeli blockade.

Blinken emphasized the need for more humanitarian aid in Gaza and urged Israel to facilitate its entry and distribution. He also mentioned a U.N. inspection mechanism for northern Gaza to assess the potential for residents to return.

As the Israeli military focuses on operations in Khan Younis and central Gaza refugee camps, the conflict has led to hundreds of casualties, including in the far south, where people have sought refuge.

A recent airstrike in Rafah killed at least 14 people and injured 20 more, including women and children. Since the war began, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reports over 23,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 59,000 injuries, with a significant proportion being women and children. The figures include both combatants and civilians.

In the initial Hamas attack on October 7, Palestinian militants killed around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and took about 250 hostages, half of whom were released during a cease-fire in November.

The Israeli military states its efforts to minimize civilian casualties, blaming high tolls on Hamas’ tactics of operating in densely populated areas. It claims to have killed around 8,000 militants and lost 186 soldiers in the offensive.