Blinken: To Safeguard Its Security, ‘Israel Must Be a Partner to Palestinian Leaders’

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that "Israel must be a partner to Palestinian leaders" if they want to achieve security and peace between both countries.

"Israel must be a partner to Palestinian leaders who are willing to lead their people in living side by side, in peace with Israel as neighbors," Blinken said during a press conference in Tel Aviv. "And Israel must stop taking steps that undercut Palestinian's ability to govern themselves."

The secretary also mentioned "hard decisions" Israeli leaders must make in order to protect Palestinians' rights. He said evictions, demolitions, settlement expansions and violence carried out with impunity are all in the way of "lasting peace and security."

Later, he also responded that "escalation is in no one's interests," and despite Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon and their need to secure the northern border, citizens should be able to return home safely.

He continued to say Palestinians should have access to their revenues, currently being withheld by Israel — "to make sure that they can pay their people who are providing essential services, including doing essential work in the West Bank."

"When it comes to the future governance of Gaza when the conflict is over, of course, people need to be paid," Blinken said. "They need to be able to to do the work necessary to administer Gaza."

Blinken also addressed the recent submission against Israel to the International Court of Justice with a charge of genocide, following what U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby had already said last week, calling it "meritless."

"The charge of genocide is meritless," Blinken said.

"It's particularly galling given that those who are attacking Israel — Hamas Hezbollah, the Houthis, as well as their supporter Iran continue to openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews."

The secretary continued to criticize Hamas, saying they had a choice to end this after the attacks of Oct. 7.

"Everyone has choices to make and that includes Hamas," Blinken continued. "Hamas could have ended this on Oct. 8th by not hiding behind civilians, by putting down its weapons, by surrendering, by releasing the hostages."

"This could end tomorrow if Hamas makes those decisions."