Israel calls for restoring stability to Palestinian territories

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday called for restoring stability to the Palestinian territories amid rising violence.

The call came during his meeting in West Jerusalem with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the last day of his visit to Israel.

Gallant stressed to the Blinken "the importance of restoring stability on the scene and the important role of regional partners in this regard," the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement.

He also briefed the chief US diplomat "on Israel's strategic and operational security challenges, with a focus on Iran and its proxies in the northern arena, in addition to the recent wave of Palestinian attacks and high alert situations in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank)."

Tension has mounted in the West Bank and East Jerusalem following an Israeli military operation in the city of Jenin that left 10 Palestinians dead on Thursday. In the wake of the operation, two shootings in Jerusalem claimed the lives of seven Israelis.

"Your visit comes at a critical time, and it sends a clear message to our adversaries and partners in the region that the United States and Israel are united in the need to confront Iran and anyone who threatens peace and stability," Gallant said. "We speak with one voice when we say that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon and that we will not tolerate Iranian aggression."

The Israeli defense minister thanked Blinken for his unwavering support for Israel's qualitative military superiority.

Blinken is set to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah later on Tuesday on the last stop in his regional tour that also included Egypt.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat