U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded yesterday his one-day visit to Israel. In his closing address, he presented a series of demands to Israel, expressing concern for the “hungry women and children in the Gaza Strip.”
Blinken called to increase humanitarian aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing, despite numerous reports indicating Hamas confiscates most of the aid. Additionally, Blinken demanded that Israel transfer tax revenues it collects to the Palestinian Authority, despite the fact that senior PA officials expressed support for the Oct. 7th attacks and engage in incitement against Israel.
At a press conference in Tel Aviv before leaving the country, Blinken noted, “Prime Minister Netanyahu assured me that Israeli policy does not encourage voluntary migration from Gaza.”
According to reports, there were significant disagreements between the Security Cabinet and Blinken, with Blinken arguing that Gazans be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza. Members of the Cabinet emphasized that such a move would hinder Israel’s military objectives of destroying Hamas and returning the hostages. The Cabinet also said that the ultimate return of civilians to northern Gaza would be part of an agreement with Hamas. “We discussed the military campaign in Gaza. We shared with Israel our views on how we believe Israel can achieve its aim of making sure that Oct. 7th can never repeat itself, while simultaneously reducing the scope of the campaign and releasing reserve soldiers,” said Blinken. “We agreed that a UN delegation should examine how to return residents to northern Gaza. This will not happen overnight, however the goal is to map out the challenges and explore how we can overcome them.”
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Finance Minister Smotrich criticized Blinken saying, “We will act to open up Gaza to allow voluntary migration of refugees just as the international community has done with refugees from Syria and Ukraine.”
On X, FM Smotrich also wrote, “Secretary Blinken, welcome to Israel. We greatly appreciate the U.S. support for Israel, but in matters concerning our ability to exist in our land, we will always act according to the Israeli interest. Therefore, we will continue to fight with all our might to destroy Hamas, and we won't transfer a shekel to the Palestinian Authority, since these funds will end up with the families of Nazis in Gaza."
Channel 11's Arab Affairs Correspondent, Omri Haim, responded to Blinken’s statements, stating, "It's fortunate that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh clarified today that 'Hamas is the people.' The return of Gazans to homes in areas under IDF control would be a return to the reality that led to Oct. 7th, and would represent defeat. It’s that simple."
Israeli journalist Ariel Kahana wrote in Yisrael Hayom, "Tony Blinken, who is Jewish, is stabbing Israel in the back in its difficult time. He lied shamelessly tonight, claiming that the problems with humanitarian aid in Gaza are because of Israel. In this evening’s press conference he made a series of demands ('tough decisions') required only of Israel, balanced out with weak statements like 'October 7th cannot be allowed to repeat itself.’ This behavior is even worse than that of Kissinger during the Yom Kippur War.”
Kahane added, “If there are leaders in Jerusalem, they must clarify that another scandalous visit like this won't be acceptable. We'll manage without him.”
Editor of the "Makor Rishon" newspaper, Hagai Segal, commented after the speech, "Blinken's list of demands from Israel is a signal to Hamas: hold on for a few more days, Israel will have to stop.”
Mothers of IDF soldiers demonstrated outside the hotel where Blinken stayed during his visit. They called for stopping humanitarian aid into Gaza and waved a large sign with pictures of the children of senior US officials wearing IDF uniforms. Underneath the sign read, “These aren’t your kids, these are our kids. Let them fight like you let your kids fight.”
