US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the occupied West Bank on Wednesday to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. This marked his fourth trip to the region since the start of the Gaza war on October 7. During their meeting, Blinken and Abbas discussed post-war plans for Gaza, including steps towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The visit was met with protests from a group of demonstrators who expressed their concerns about the ongoing conflict. Some scuffles broke out between the protesters and Palestinian security forces. Despite the opposition, Blinken emphasized efforts to minimize civilian harm in Gaza and increase aid delivery to the enclave.
Blinken’s visit to Ramallah came after a day-long trip to Israel, where he reiterated his support for a Palestinian state and encouraged administrative reforms within the Palestinian Authority (PA). Abbas expressed to Blinken that no Palestinians should be displaced from Gaza or the West Bank.
However, Hamas, the group that governs Gaza, rejected Blinken’s visit, stating that it aimed to support the security of the occupation. Hamas criticized the US official’s attempts to justify the Israeli military’s actions and accused him of trying to wash the hands of the occupation’s crimes.
Since the start of the war, the US has consistently expressed its belief that the PA should govern Gaza once Hamas is eliminated. The PA lost control of the strip to Hamas in 2007 and its popularity has declined over the years.
After his visit to Bahrain, Blinken highlighted the role that regional powers will play in the reconstruction efforts in Gaza and in bringing countries together in the region. He emphasized the need for a solution that ensures both the security of Israel and a pathway to statehood for Palestinians.
Blinken acknowledged that Israel will need to make difficult decisions to take advantage of the opportunity for regional integration. He also criticized actions such as settlement expansion, evictions, and demolitions, which he believes hinder the achievement of lasting peace and security for Israel.
Violence in the occupied West Bank has escalated since October 7, with a significant number of Palestinian casualties, including minors. Abbas subsequently traveled to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi. Both leaders emphasized the need to increase pressure to end Israel’s aggression in Gaza and protect civilians. They also rejected any plans to separate Gaza from the West Bank, as they consider both territories integral to a future Palestinian state.
Blinken’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories followed his tour of Washington’s Middle Eastern allies, where he discussed the importance of a practical pathway to a Palestinian state for closer relations with Israel. The international community has been called upon to take decisive action to push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Overall, Blinken’s visit signifies ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the conflict and work towards a viable solution that includes the establishment of a Palestinian state.
