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WHD News Flash top headlines for January 3
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Israel’s Eli Cohen on his appointment as foreign minister and reminded the newest appointee in the Netanyahu administration of the U.S.’s position when it comes to a two-state solution with its Palestinian neighbors.
In a call Monday, the pair discussed U.S. - Israeli relations, mutual interests and regional security. However, according to a readout, Blinken also "emphasized the continued U.S. commitment to a two-state solution and opposition to policies that endanger its viability."
The comments from the secretary comes just days after Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israeli Prime Minister for the sixth time in a dramatic return to power.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the first leg of his four-day trip to the Middle East, on May 25, 2021 in Jerusalem. (Photos by Haim Zach / GPO via Getty Images)
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU RETURNS TO POWER IN ISRAEL AS NEW GOVERNMENT IS SWORN IN
Netanyahu was ousted in Jun 2021 and is still on trial for corruption charges.
However, the popular right wing figurehead – who secured another term and ushered in one of the most hard-right cabinets Israel has seen – is expected to push for settlement advancement in the Palestinian West Bank, reported Reuters.
Netanyahu has allied his party with the Religious Zionism and Jewish Power parties which opposed Palestinian statehood.
Leader of the Religious Zionism party, Bezalel Smotrich, was also appointed as minister of finance Sunday and vowed that "Israel will be an island of stability and responsibility," Reuters reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir react after sworn in at the Israeli parliament during a new government sworn in discussion at the Israeli parliament on Dec. 29, 2022 in Jerusalem. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
HOLY LAND FIGHT: ISRAELI LAWMAKERS CONDEMN EU'S 'ILLEGAL' ACTIONS ON BIBLICAL LAND
Israel's police minister appointee, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has also turned heads as he was reportedly convicted in 2007 for inciting violence against Arabs and supporting a Jewish militant group.
The newest police minister made headlines during his campaign for saying "every police officer should know that if a terrorist comes to hurt you his blood is forfeit," Reuters stated.
Netanyahu vowed to prioritize countering Iranian aggression and bringing peace to the region following his election; however, some fear concessions he made to his hard right cabinet could see further violations to boundaries identified under a 1967 U.N. resolution.
A woman holds a map of Palestine from 1946 to 2020. Supporters of Palestine organized a gathering in Toulouse against the planned annexation of parts of West Bank and the total annexation of the Jordan Valley by Netanyahu government on July 1, 2020. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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President Biden also congratulated Netanyahu and his administration upon securing the high office, but he stood firm on his desire for a two-state solution when it comes to Israel-Palestinian relations.
"The United States will continue to support the two-state solution and to oppose policies that endanger its viability or contradict our mutual interests and values," he said.