A call to action and calm. The head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken, on Monday January 30 asked the Israelis and Palestinians to “take urgent measures for a return to calm”, after several days of deadly violence. At a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken said he wanted “to restore a sense of security for Israelis and Palestinians alike, which of course is sorely lacking”.
On his arrival at Tel Aviv airport, the second leg of a tour of the region, the American Secretary of State called on the belligerents not to “stir up tensions”. “It is everyone’s responsibility to take steps to ease tensions”did he declare. “It’s the only way to end the wave of violence that has claimed too many lives : too many Israeli lives, too many Palestinian lives.”
France ready to “contribute to the resumption of dialogue”
Emmanuel Macron also urged Israelis and Palestinians on Sunday not to “feeding the spiral of violence” after the attacks in East Jerusalem. During a telephone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister, the French President “once again expressed its readiness to contribute to the resumption of dialogue” between the belligerents, underlined the Elysée. Benyamin Netanyahu promised an answer “strong” and “solid” to “terrorism” after both attacks.