The United States stressed that its presenting of humanitarian and relief aid to the Palestinians is connected to its policy in implementing the two-State solution and ensuring that both Israelis and Palestinians enjoy “equal measures of security, of safety, of prosperity, and of dignity.”
During a press briefing on Thursday, State Department spokesman Ned Price said that the American administration was aware of the recent reports Israel was preventing cancer patients from crossing the Erez Crossing.
“We of course are familiar with these reports, and it’s something that we document in many different contexts, including we document these concerns extensively in the West Bank and the Gaza Human Rights Report,” he added.
“We have encouraged all parties to work together to facilitate greater freedom of movement, including for humanitarian ends,” he continued. This issue was brought up during talks between the Americans and Israelis during a US delegation’s recent visit to the region. The issue was also discussed with the Palestinian Authority.
The “longer term” American goal “is to ensure that both Israelis and Palestinians enjoy equal measures of security, of safety, of prosperity, and of dignity,” he continued.
“It is important for the humanitarian well-being of – for – including Palestinians. But it is also important if we are going to be able to eventually make progress towards what remains our goal, and that is a two-state solution, a two-state solution that really is in our estimation the only way to preserve, importantly, Israel’s identity as a Jewish and a democratic state while bestowing on the Palestinian people their legitimate aspirations for statehood, security, and dignity,” Price remarked.
“So that’s why ensuring that there is ample humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza, especially in the aftermath of the recent violence, is incredibly important to us,” he declared.
“It is why over the course of recent weeks, and starting before that on April 7th, I announced more than $100 million in support for the Palestinian people. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield just before that had announced $15 million in aid – in coronavirus-related relief for the Palestinian people. All told, I believe now we have announced some $360 million in assistance for the Palestinian people,” he stressed.
On the political developments in Israel and the potential formation of a government that does not include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Price said: “Regardless of what happens, regardless of what government is in place, our stalwart support, our ironclad support for Israel will remain.”
This commitment, he stated, was expressed by President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, “including when it comes to replenishment of the Iron Dome. Nothing about that will change, even if there is a change in government.”
The Iron Dome “is an indispensable tool for the safety and security of Israelis,” he stressed.
Price added, however, that “ultimately, we know that only if we are able to offer – again, in equal measures – a sense of opportunity, a sense of dignity, of security and democracy to Palestinians and Israelis will we able to break this cycle of violence.”
The State Department said on Thursday that Blinken met with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz in Washington.
They discussed the US-Israel partnership and “America’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security.” Blinken reiterated “the importance of promoting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike and support for Israel’s right to defend itself.”
He also “underscored the importance of humanitarian assistance and relief and recovery efforts in Gaza” and “emphasized the need for Israelis and Palestinians to be able to enjoy equal measures of security, prosperity, democracy, and dignity.”
