Blinken Stresses Equality for Palestinians in Call to Ashkenazi

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has told his Israeli counterpart that Israelis and Palestinians should enjoy “equal measures” of freedom, security, prosperity and democracy.

Blinken’s comments reflected more of a focus on the Palestinians than the pro-Israel policy conducted by U.S. President Joe Biden’s Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.

Blinken made the point in a phone conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Friday.

A statement from State Department spokesman Ned Price said the two leaders discussed regional security challenges, humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, and the normalization of relations with Arab and Muslim majority countries.

He said Blinken reiterated the United States’ “strong commitment to Israel and its security and looks forward to strengthening all aspects of the U.S.-Israel partnership.”