Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has kicked off his Middle East tour in Cairo, Egypt, as the first stop of a three-day journey to consult with regional partners.
During his trip, Blinken is set to meet with high-ranking officials from Egypt, Israel, and the West Bank to discuss several pressing global and regional concerns, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Iran, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Blinken’s first stop in Cairo is aimed at advancing the U.S.-Egypt strategic partnership and promoting peace and security in the region. He will hold meetings with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and other senior Egyptian officials to discuss shared support for elections in Libya and the ongoing Sudanese-led political process.
In Jerusalem and Ramallah, Blinken will meet with the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, respectively.
The trip has gained new urgency after a wave of deadly violence in Israel and the West Bank.
The Secretary’s visit is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to engage quickly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads the most right-wing government in Israeli history. Blinken will discuss with Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Eli Cohen the enduring U.S. support for Israel’s security, particularly against threats from Iran.
In the West Bank, Blinken will meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss Israeli-Palestinian relations, political reforms, and the strengthening of the U.S. relationship with the Palestinian people and leadership. The Secretary will stress the need for both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to deescalate tensions and put an end to the cycle of violence. He will also discuss the importance of upholding the historic status quo at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
Throughout his tour, Blinken will engage with civil society and underscore the U.S. commitment to human rights, support for civil society, and the importance of people-to-people ties.
The visit follows the trip by White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who held discussions with Israeli and Palestinian leaders from January 18-20. During this visit, Sullivan emphasized Washington’s “unwavering commitment to Israel’s security” to address the ongoing threat posed by Iran.
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