After the maneuvers of the IDF and CENTCOM, VonNaftali reported, were successfully completed, Secretary of State Blinken is visiting Israel, which is urgently needed because the USA is no longer seen as the leading force in the Middle East.
Further, the USA of the US Democrats is no longer considered a reliable partner due to her fickle politics and her submissive behavior towards Iran.
However, Blinken remarked the positive dimension of the ‘Abraham Accords’: “Now, one of the most effective ways to make Israel more secure is to continue to build bridges in the region and even well beyond the region. That’s why we’ve worked relentlessly to deepen and broaden the Abraham Accords and other normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states. Earlier this month, a large delegation from across the United States Government joined representatives from Israel, from Bahrain, from Egypt, from Morocco, from the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi for the first meeting of the Negev Forum Working Groups. This was the largest gathering of Israel and Arab officials since the 1991 Madrid Conference.” VonNaftali reported about the visit of the ‘Abraham Accords Caucus’ of the US-Senat.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “Your visit comes at an important time. It’s a time where many in the international community, I would say most of the international community, have seen the true face of Iran. They’ve seen the barbarism of this regime against its own people. They’ve seen how it exports aggression beyond its border and beyond the Middle East. And I think there’s a common consensus that this regime must not acquire nuclear weapons. We’ve had very good discussions on forging a common policy, on trying to work together to thwart the danger.”
President Herzog held a diplomatic work meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday, 30 January 2023. This is their fourth meeting since the President entered office. The President and the Secretary met privately, after which they held an expanded meeting with the participation of both delegations.
President Herzog said: “Finally, there are many bilateral issues. The United States of America is our closest ally. Our bonds with the United States are extremely strong, I would say they even transcend politics. It is simply something that is deeply psychological and emotional. We were so honored to host President Biden just a few months ago and I was also honored to visit him in the Oval Office, and I hope that we will be able to continue and develop the relationship in so many other fields together. Thank you very much for coming to Jerusalem.”
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken said: “I appreciate deeply the partnership, the friendship as well. I would simply say, again, at the start: our solidarity in this very difficult moment in the wake of the truly horrific terrorist attack just a few days ago, I think made even more horrific—if that’s possible, because any terrorism is by definition horrific but the fact that it took place outside a synagogue and targeted people who were leaving a place of worship. You know our strong solidarity with Israel, with all the people of Israel, when it comes to facing terrorism and we stand with you as always in that.”
And on Iran and Russia Blinken said: “We agree that Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, and we discussed deepening cooperation to confront and counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region and beyond. Just as Iran has long supported terrorists that attack Israelis and others, the regime is now providing drones that Russia is using to kill innocent Ukrainian civilians.
In turn, Russia is providing sophisticated weaponries to Iran. It’s a two-way street. Russia’s ongoing atrocities only underscore the importance of providing support for all of Ukraine’s needs – humanitarian, economic, and security – as it bravely defends its people and its very right to exist, a topic that we also discussed today.”
Blinken met further with Defense Minister Gallant and Minister of Foreign Affairs Cohen today, who welcomed Secretary of State Anthony Blinken upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.