U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Israel to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to discuss the region's current situation and explore ways to revive peace talks came a few days after terrorist attacks took place.
The visit to the area was part of a broader tour of the Middle East, including stops in Egypt, Jordan and the West Bank, according to a State Department news release.
“On my trip to Israel and the West Bank, I had the opportunity to sit down with and listen to Israelis and Palestinians. They play a critical role in reminding us what’s truly important — trying to make sure that each of us is treated with the dignity that we each deserve,” Blinken said in a Jan. 31 post on Twitter.
Seven people were gunned down Jan. 27, and at least three others were injured in a terror shooting attack near a synagogue in Neve Yaakov, Jerusalem, The Times of Israel reported. The suspect fled the scene but was later encountered at a separate location, where he open fire on officers and was shot dead by law enforcement during the altercation. The recent surge in violence and conflict in the region has heightened tensions and raised concerns about a new outbreak of hostilities.
A statement by Blinken released after the attack said the U.S. condemned the terrorist attack that occurred outside a synagogue in Jerusalem.
“We mourn those killed in the attack, and our thoughts are with the injured, including children. The notion of people being targeted as they leave a house of worship is abhorrent. It is particularly tragic that this attack occurred on International Holocaust Remembrance Day,” he said, according to the statement.
Blinken expressed condolences on behalf of the U.S. to the families of those who died and wished those injured a full recovery. The nation remains in close contact with its Israeli partners and reaffirms "our unwavering commitment to Israel’s security,” he said in his statement.
The U.S. has a stable and long-standing relationship with Israel based on shared values, mutual interests and a commitment to democracy and human rights, according to a State Department fact sheet. The two countries have close military, intelligence and economic ties, and the U.S. has provided diplomatic, military and financial support to Israel over the years.
The U.S. plays a vital role in the peace process in the region, supporting the efforts of Israelis and Palestinians to reach a negotiated two-state solution to their conflict, according to the fact sheet. Blinken attempted to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to resolving the long-standing conflict in the region through his visit.
