US Sullivan to Visit Israel This Month to Discuss Israel-Palestine Issues

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Yoo-jin] The Biden administration in the United States will hold its first face-to-face meeting with the newly inaugurated Benjamin Netanyahu government of Israel to discuss key issues such as the Israel-Palestine conflict and Iran's nuclear program.

On the 2nd (local time), major foreign media outlets reported, citing White House officials, that Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, plans to visit Israel later this month.

A senior U.S. administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrangement of the talks between the two countries but said, "The exact date of the meeting has not been set."

This meeting comes amid rising concerns in the international community, including the U.S., over the deterioration of Israel-Palestine (hereafter I-Pal) relations following the inauguration of Israel's most hardline right-wing government in history.

Foreign media report that the talks are expected to cover the I-Pal conflict, including the issue of annexation of parts of the West Bank, as well as Iran's nuclear program.

With the ultra-conservative right-wing coalition allied with Netanyahu occupying key positions in the new government and prioritizing settlement expansion and judicial reform as major policies, significant upheaval is anticipated in the Middle East situation involving Palestine and Iran.

The U.S., which has positioned coexistence between Israel and Palestine as a core Middle East strategy, is wary of the actions of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the ultra-right-wing leader regarded as a key figure in the new cabinet and serving as the Minister of National Security.

Ben-Gvir is known for advocating the expansion of settlements in Palestinian territories and unilateral territorial annexation, which the international community considers illegal, and it is expected that he will ultimately attempt full annexation of the West Bank.

According to Palestinian sources, tensions in the region have already escalated, with two Palestinian militants killed in a recent armed clash near Jenin in the West Bank, which is occupied by the Israeli military.

The U.S. has expressed concerns about the new government's policies that weaken the 'two-state solution,' which recognizes Israel and Palestine as independent states, around the time of Netanyahu's cabinet formation.

Itamar Ben-Gvir. (Photo by AFP)

Earlier that day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken held his first phone call with Eli Cohen, the Foreign Minister of the Netanyahu government, emphasizing the U.S.'s security efforts in Israel and clearly opposing policies that jeopardize the two-state solution.

After approximately 40 minutes of conversation, both sides issued a statement saying they discussed conflicts with the hostile Iran, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Iran's nuclear issue.

In a statement on the formation of the Israeli government on the 29th of last month, President Biden said, "I look forward to working with my longtime friend Prime Minister Netanyahu," and reiterated that "the new Netanyahu government will continue efforts to promote peace in the region, including Israel and Palestine." He added, "The United States will support the two-state solution and oppose policies that run counter to our mutual interests and values."

Earlier, the Israeli Knesset (parliament) held a special session and approved the right-wing coalition government led by Netanyahu through a vote. This officially launched a right-wing coalition centered on Netanyahu's Likud party, including three far-right parties?'Religious Zionism,' 'Otzma Yehudit' (Power to Israel), and Noam?as well as the ultra-Orthodox Jewish party Shas and the conservative Jewish political alliance United Torah Judaism (UTJ).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.