Blinken speaks with his Israeli counterpart, welcomes efforts to deescalate tensions with Palestinians

By Betul Yuruk

NEW YORK (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed recent efforts to deescalate tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in a phone call Thursday with his Israeli counterpart.

Blinken and Eli Cohen discussed shared challenges including Iran, efforts to advance mutual interests and Israel’s further regional integration, according to the State Department.

The top US diplomat reiterated Washington’s continued commitment to a two-state solution and welcomed recent efforts to deescalate tensions between Israelis and Palestinians through meetings in Aqaba, Jordan and in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, said State Department principal deputy spokesman Vedant Patel.

Blinken also called for refraining from unilateral actions that could exacerbate tensions.