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Hamas Delegation to Visit Moscow with ‘New Ideas’

File Photo: Palestinian group Hamas’ top leader, Ismail Haniyeh (Reuters)
File Photo: Palestinian group Hamas’ top leader, Ismail Haniyeh (Reuters)
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Hamas Delegation to Visit Moscow with ‘New Ideas’

File Photo: Palestinian group Hamas’ top leader, Ismail Haniyeh (Reuters)
File Photo: Palestinian group Hamas’ top leader, Ismail Haniyeh (Reuters)

Palestinian group Hamas' top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, will visit Moscow early next week to hold “very importance talks,” Asharq Al-Awsat learned on Wednesday.

A source in the Russian capital said Haniyeh’s meetings will be significant at the level of their nature and content.

“A large delegation from the Movement’s leadership will arrive in Moscow next Sunday, and will hold meetings with the Russian side starting Monday,” he said.

According to the same source, Haniyeh is accompanied by a number of members of the Political Bureau, including deputy head of Hamas Political Bureau Moussa Abu Marzouk.

“Haniyeh carries new ideas that he intends to present during his meetings with Russian officials as part of an integrated work program,” the source stated.

The new ideas will include a detailed discussion of Hamas’ plans to establish a Palestinian national front against the Zionist regime's acts of aggression.

In Moscow, the delegation wants to discover how the Russians view this project, and also to discuss issues related to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the role that Moscow can play to accelerate and advance this path.

Meanwhile, the source focused on the level of meetings that Hamas officials are expected to hold in Moscow, including a possible meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

A Hamas delegation last visited Moscow in May this year.

The delegation was then led by Abu Marzouk and it included leaders Fathi Hammad and Hussam Badran, as well as the Movement’s representative in Moscow.

The visit came at a remarkable time, against the backdrop of escalating tension between Russia and Israel.

Talks last May focused on the situation in Jerusalem, the field developments in the Palestinian Territories and the Russian-Palestinian ties.

At the time, Israel and Russia had tensed relations over “unforgivable” comments by the Russian foreign minister about Nazism and antisemitism - including claims that Adolf Hitler was Jewish.

In a sign of sharply deteriorating relations with Moscow, the Israeli foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador and demanded an apology.

The tensed relations directly reflected on the Palestinian situation and the situation in Syria.

Moscow strongly condemned the Israeli raids on Syrian areas while its Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement on the situation around Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, the last contact between Moscow and Hamas happened last month, in the midst of the Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip.

Russian Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said in a phone call with Haniyeh that Moscow supports the immediate restoration of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

"Russia confirmed its support for the immediate restoration of the Gaza ceasefire and welcomed related mediation efforts,” a Russian Foreign Ministry statement said following the phone call.

At the same time, it was emphasized that new cycles of violence between Palestine and Israel can be effectively prevented through the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, which would leave in peace and security with Israel.

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Arab World

Clashes Between Sudan’s Warring Factions Intensify 

Smoke billows behind buildings from a reported fire in Khartoum, on June 5, 2023, as fighting continues between two warring generals. (AFP)
Smoke billows behind buildings from a reported fire in Khartoum, on June 5, 2023, as fighting continues between two warring generals. (AFP)
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Clashes Between Sudan’s Warring Factions Intensify 

Smoke billows behind buildings from a reported fire in Khartoum, on June 5, 2023, as fighting continues between two warring generals. (AFP)
Smoke billows behind buildings from a reported fire in Khartoum, on June 5, 2023, as fighting continues between two warring generals. (AFP)

Sudan's warring military factions clashed by air and on the ground in the country's capital on Tuesday, as increased violence and spreading lawlessness added to the misery of residents already struggling with limited food and medicine.

Fighting between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, now in its eighth week, has killed hundreds of civilians, and driven 400,000 across borders and more than 1.2 million out of the capital and other cities.

Saudi Arabia and the United States had brokered talks that had led to imperfectly-observed ceasefires with the aim of providing humanitarian assistance. But talks collapsed last week and while delegations remain in Jeddah no direct talks have been announced.

The fighting has inflicting heavy damage on the capital where the remaining residents are at the mercy of battles, air strikes and looting.

Artillery and air strikes continued overnight, with residents in southern and eastern Khartoum and northern Bahri reporting hearing sounds of artillery and gun clashes on Tuesday morning.

Overnight, the two forces clashed in the streets of the city of Omdurman, around the army's key Engineers Corps base. The army, which tends to prefer air strikes to ground fighting was able to maintain its positions around the base but could not push back the RSF, which controls most of the rest of the city.

"Our neighborhood has become a war zone. There are fierce clashes and strikes all around us because our house is next to the Engineers' Corps," said 45-year-old Jawahir Mohamed.

"We are scared of dying but we are also scared of leaving our house and being burgled," she added.

Looters, some of whom Khartoum residents and neighborhood committees say belong to the RSF, have pillaged neighborhoods across the capital, stealing cars, breaking open safes, and occupying homes.

Aid groups have struggled to provide extensive assistance to Khartoum residents, who face electricity and water shortages, as well as dwindling supplies in shops and pharmacies.

Neighborhood-based resistance committees have organized such assistance, but have struggled as fighting has intensified.

"We could not distribute medicines because of the air and artillery bombardment," said one activist who asked not to be named.

Fighting has expanded beyond Khartoum to the Darfur region to the West. Also hit by fighting is the city of El Obeid, a key route between Khartoum and Darfur.

Arab World

Syrian Newspaper: Quadripartite Meeting to be Held at Deputy FMs Level

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (2-left) speaks with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, at the quadripartite meeting, May 10. (EPA) 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (2-left) speaks with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, at the quadripartite meeting, May 10. (EPA) 
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Syrian Newspaper: Quadripartite Meeting to be Held at Deputy FMs Level

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (2-left) speaks with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, at the quadripartite meeting, May 10. (EPA) 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (2-left) speaks with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, at the quadripartite meeting, May 10. (EPA) 

The quadripartite meeting would be held this month at the level of deputy foreign ministers of Syria, Russia, Iran, and Türkiye, according to media sources in Damascus.

Syria’s Al-Watan newspaper quoted informed sources in Moscow as saying that the quadripartite meeting on Syria will be held on the sidelines of the Astana Peace Talks scheduled on June 20-21.

Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Ayman Susan would represent Syria’s delegation in the meeting.

A meeting between the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Russia, Iran, and Syria was held on May 10 in Moscow, as part of “building dialogue” between Türkiye and the regime of President Bashar Assad.

The FMs agreed on preparing a roadmap to develop Turkish-Syrian ties.

While Syria considered it early to speak about appointing a Syrian committee to follow up on the roadmap, the Turkish side expressed optimism regarding normalizing ties with Syria.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad revealed in previous statements that during the recent meeting, there were “thorough discussions and sometimes intense” in which the Syrian delegation demanded omitting all that is related to normalization.

The Syrian FM stressed that normalizing ties can only come in tandem with the Turkish forces’ withdrawal from Syria.

Mekdad added that Syria is willing to engage in constructive and open dialogue to reach its desired goals, as long as it’s based on mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the state, and non-interference in its internal affairs.

Damascus hinges any rapprochement with Türkiye on the withdrawal of the Turkish forces from Syrian soil, ceasing support to the armed opposition groups, and abstaining from interfering in Syrian affairs.

But for now, Ankara refuses to withdraw from Syria for several national security-related reasons.

Arab World

US First Lady Praises Morocco King for Empowering Women, Youth

The US First Lady, Jill Biden, speaking at the Ennakhil Association (US Embassy)
The US First Lady, Jill Biden, speaking at the Ennakhil Association (US Embassy)
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US First Lady Praises Morocco King for Empowering Women, Youth

The US First Lady, Jill Biden, speaking at the Ennakhil Association (US Embassy)
The US First Lady, Jill Biden, speaking at the Ennakhil Association (US Embassy)

The US First Lady, Jill Biden, praised the Moroccan King Mohammed VI for empowering women and youth, adding that under his leadership, Morocco is encouraging reforms to empower women and youth, reflecting shared priorities between their countries.

Biden said the US is grateful for its "longstanding partnership and friendship with Morocco," praising Princess Lalla Hasna for her gracious reception upon her arrival in Marrakech.

The First Lady indicated that Princess Lalla Hasnaa informed her about the efforts to "educate children and young people on the significance of protecting our climate."

"I was inspired by her passion, and I'm excited to take her story back to the United States to look for more opportunities to learn from each other. Because our world is tied together in immeasurable ways, that common ground is where the foundation of our shared future must be laid,” she said.

She expressed her gratitude to King Mohammed VI for the reception, describing Morocco as "one the US oldest friends."

The First Lady was accompanied by her daughter, Ashley Biden, and sister, Bobby Jacobs, on a tour to the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe to promote and improve the living conditions of women and youth worldwide.

It is Biden's second visit to Morocco since November 2014, during which she accompanied then-Vice President Joe Biden during his participation in the fifth session of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which was held in Marrakech.

On Sunday, Jill Biden visited Ennakhil Association, a nonprofit organization in Marrakech that supports women who have been victims of gender-based violations.

Upon her arrival at the headquarters, Biden was greeted by Zakia Mrini, the Founder and Secretary General of Ennakhil Association, the US Ambassador Puneet Talwar, his wife Sarosh Sattar, and the US Consul General in Casablanca, Lawrence Randolph.

Biden toured the various facilities and met with the staff and participants of two programs funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The women who participated in vocational training provided by the Association visited the display, which included cosmetic products, embroidery, and sewing products.

Before taking a souvenir photo, they presented the First Lady with a traditional dress.

Ennakhil Association, founded by Mrini in 1997, is a non-governmental organization that defends women's rights and provides vocational training for vulnerable victims. In 1998, the Association established the first listening center for women victims of gender-based violence outside the Rabat and Casablanca regions.

Since then, the Association has provided counseling to more than 19,000 women and more than 2,000 child victims of violence.

Ennakhil Association supported nearly 2,000 gender-based violence cases in the courts in cooperation with other organizations, including the competent authorities, the judiciary, health care providers, and the media.

In September 2016, USAID-Morocco allocated $500,000 to Ennakhil, which helped the Association expand its work as an intermediate support organization, mentoring other civil society organizations and working effectively with the government on behalf of citizens.

Through this program, the Ennakhil Association trained 30 partner civil society organizations.

In July 2020, USAID-Morocco granted the Ennakhil Association more than $320,000 in additional funding to combat "COVID-19" to address the rise in cases of gender-based violence in the Marrakech-Safi region.

With the funding, the Association established a solidarity restaurant and a training center for women victims of gender-based violence. It has also developed an online platform to support these victims and their families.

 

Arab World

Israeli Soldiers to Join Moroccan War Games for First Time 

Israeli soldiers are deployed near the Gaza border. (Reuters)
Israeli soldiers are deployed near the Gaza border. (Reuters)
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Israeli Soldiers to Join Moroccan War Games for First Time 

Israeli soldiers are deployed near the Gaza border. (Reuters)
Israeli soldiers are deployed near the Gaza border. (Reuters)

Israeli soldiers will for the first time take part in military exercises in Morocco when the biggest war games event in Africa kicks off Tuesday, the Israeli army said.

"This is the first time that the IDF is taking an active part in the 'African Lion' international exercise," said a statement from the Israeli army late Monday.

"A delegation of 12 soldiers and commanders from the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion" -- an elite infantry unit -- has been sent to participate alongside some 8,000 soldiers from 18 countries.

The event -- now in its 19th edition -- is organized by Morocco and the United States.

"During the next two weeks, the soldiers will focus on training in various combat challenges that combine urban warfare and underground warfare, in which they will conclude in a common exercise for all participating armies," read the Israeli statement.

Israel participated in the event last year, however only as international military observers, without soldiers taking part on the ground.

According to the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the war games include exercises in operational planning and fighting weapons of mass destruction, tactical land, sea, air and special forces training, as well as airborne operations.

Morocco and Israel have been working to boost cooperation in the military, security, trade and tourism fields since they normalized ties in December 2020.

Arab World

AL: Development Summit to Take Place in Mauritania Next November

Arab League Secretary-General during his meeting with the Mauritanian president in Cairo. (Arab League)
Arab League Secretary-General during his meeting with the Mauritanian president in Cairo. (Arab League)
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AL: Development Summit to Take Place in Mauritania Next November

Arab League Secretary-General during his meeting with the Mauritanian president in Cairo. (Arab League)
Arab League Secretary-General during his meeting with the Mauritanian president in Cairo. (Arab League)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has said that the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit will be held in Mauritania next November.

Aboul Gheit discussed on Monday with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani at AL’s headquarters the ongoing preparations for the Summit, in addition to developments in the region and the world.

In his welcoming speech before the League’s permanent representatives, Aboul Gheit said that the meeting with Ghazouani tackled AL’s responsibilities.

The Mauritanian President made a thorough explanation of the current preparations for the Mauritanian elections, according to the spokesman for the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Jamal Rushdi.

The AL Secretary-General congratulated Mauritania for kicking off natural gas production in the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim field at the end of this year, stressing the significance of laying the necessary legislation that would help the country’s social and economic development.

The President met with the League’s permanent representatives, and affirmed that his country backs international and Arab efforts to resolve the armed conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Libya, and Sudan, according to Rushdi.

Ghazouani highlighted in his speech, a copy of which was obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, that developing joint Arab action is inevitable for the sake of restoring security and stability in all Arab states.

The first step toward achieving stability in the region, defeating terrorism and extremism, and establishing sustainable and comprehensive development is to end conflicts in Arab countries and back all states seeking to bring the conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and Libya to an end, he added.

The Mauritanian President further noted that his country supports the Palestinians’ rights.

He looked forward to hosting the fifth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit on November 6-7 to be “a unique stop to revive the joint Arab economic action.”

Ghazouani stressed that resolving inter-Arab conflicts contributes to the Arabs’ collective ability to survive the security, economic, and environmental crises facing the world.

Mohamed Orfy, Egypt's Permanent Representative to the Arab League, expressed his country’s confidence that the upcoming summit in Mauritanian would be a success.

He further lauded Mauritania’s keenness in promoting joint Arab development work in all vital fields in order to reinforce Arab citizens’ social and economic rights.

Arab World

Egypt’s Sisi Discusses Border Shooting with Netanyahu, Emphasizes Investigation Cooperation 

Israeli soldiers are pictured at the gate of the Mount Harif military base near the city of Mitzpe Ramon in Israel's southern Negev desert, adjacent to the border with Egypt, on June 3, 2023. (AFP)
Israeli soldiers are pictured at the gate of the Mount Harif military base near the city of Mitzpe Ramon in Israel's southern Negev desert, adjacent to the border with Egypt, on June 3, 2023. (AFP)
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Egypt’s Sisi Discusses Border Shooting with Netanyahu, Emphasizes Investigation Cooperation 

Israeli soldiers are pictured at the gate of the Mount Harif military base near the city of Mitzpe Ramon in Israel's southern Negev desert, adjacent to the border with Egypt, on June 3, 2023. (AFP)
Israeli soldiers are pictured at the gate of the Mount Harif military base near the city of Mitzpe Ramon in Israel's southern Negev desert, adjacent to the border with Egypt, on June 3, 2023. (AFP)

Egypt's President Abdelfattah al-Sisi received a telephone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss latest border shooting in which three Israeli soldiers were killed, Egypt's presidency said in a statement on Tuesday.

Sisi and Netanyahu emphasized the importance of coordination on investigating the incident, according to the statement.

Egypt says it is working with Israel to investigate the incident which occurred on Saturday.

"We will refresh procedures and methods of operations and also the measures to reduce to a minimum the smuggling and to ensure tragic terrorist attacks like this do not happen again," Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday.

The frontier is usually peaceful, as the neighbors share security cooperation, though there are frequent reports of drug smuggling, including one that took place prior to the deadly violence.

On Saturday, the Egyptian military said the three Israelis and Egyptian guard had been killed in an exchange of fire as the guard chased smugglers across the frontier.

Two Egyptian sources said on Sunday that a team was examining the scene and the guard's body to determine how events transpired. Coworkers and family members of the Egyptian guard have been interviewed to figure out if he belonged to any political groups or suffered from mental illness, they said.

Egypt in 1979 became the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel and they share a more than 200-km (124-mile) long border.

Arab World

EU: Human Rights Violators in Sudan Will Be Held Accountable

The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)
The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)
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EU: Human Rights Violators in Sudan Will Be Held Accountable

The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)
The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)

The European Union (EU) said human rights violations in Sudan are being monitored and documented, and those responsible will be held accountable.  

In a statement on Monday, the bloc urged the parties to the conflict in Sudan to ease hostilities immediately, allowing space for the resumption of a credible and inclusive political transition process.  

“We will continue to work with all regional and international stakeholders, including the African Union and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan, to achieve these ends.” 

The EU also welcomed the unanimous decision of the UN Security Council to extend until December 2023 the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITMAS). 

Security chaos 

Chaos ensued in Sudan after fighting broke out in mid-April between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.  

Companies, homes, shops, and banks have been attacked and looted in various regions, including the capital, as the fighting turned residential areas into battlefields.  

The violations also reached hospitals, as armed men occupied many medical facilities, especially in the capital Khartoum and western Darfur region.  

The UN and the international community warned of a future humanitarian crisis after efforts failed to deliver aid due to the security situation. Some relief organizations’ offices were also looted and destroyed.  

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia and the United States urged the warring parties to agree to and “effectively implement” a new ceasefire.  

In their statement, they said they continued to engage representatives of the military and the RSF who remained in Jeddah.  

They urged the warring sides to agree to and implement a new ceasefire after the latest one expired on Sunday.  

The statement said the discussions focused on “facilitating humanitarian assistance” and reaching an agreement on “near-term steps the parties must take” before resuming the talks.  

Meanwhile, violent clashes with heavy weapons continued in Khartoum for an eighth week, while local media reported that the Darfur region bordering Chad had also turned into a battlefield. 

Arab World

Cairo Talks: Hamas, Jihad Open to 'Technocrat Cabinet'

Hamas and Jihad officials during the meeting in Cairo (Hamas Movement)
Hamas and Jihad officials during the meeting in Cairo (Hamas Movement)
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Cairo Talks: Hamas, Jihad Open to 'Technocrat Cabinet'

Hamas and Jihad officials during the meeting in Cairo (Hamas Movement)
Hamas and Jihad officials during the meeting in Cairo (Hamas Movement)

Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements continued their talks in Cairo with Egyptian security officials to discuss several issues focusing on establishing "long-term calm" in Gaza and improving the humanitarian and economic situation in the Strip.

Hamas announced an expanded meeting began in Cairo between the head of the politburo, Ismail Haniyeh, and the Secretary-General of the Jihad movement, Ziad al-Nakhala.

They discussed ways to strengthen their strategic relationship "to serve issues of the resistance and the Palestinian people." They also highlighted the attacks on the Palestinian people in Jerusalem, al-Aqsa Mosque, and the West Bank.

A Palestinian source familiar with the consultations said the meeting between the coalitions took place separately from the discussions that the leaders of each faction held separately with Egyptian security officials.

The leaders also met with a delegation representing the Democratic Reform Bloc, led by Palestinian leader Mohammed Dahlan.

The source, who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity, explained that the consultations between the factions and the Egyptian side focused on "seeking a long-term calm in Gaza" and "improving the humanitarian and economic situation in the Strip."

He pointed out that the officials lauded Egypt's role in maintaining calm in the sector and renewed the affirmation of their response to these efforts to spare the enclave from any Israeli escalation.

The source referred to a proposal to form a Palestinian "technocratic government" that would supervise, within a year, the parliamentary and presidential elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Hamas and Jihad initially approved the proposal, but they expressed to the Egyptian side their fear that the Palestinian Authority (PA) might obstruct the move.

The source pointed out that the Hamas movement feared President Mahmoud Abbas might hinder the proposal, citing his decision to appoint a new constitutional court.

Hamas does not recognize the legitimacy of the constitutional court and considers it a mere tool to circumvent the Palestinian President's decision to dissolve the elected parliament, confirming that Abbas does not intend to move forward with holding the elections.

On Thursday, four judges of the Supreme Constitutional Court took the oath before the President in Ramallah after Abbas issued a decision in May appointing new judges, following his previous decision to retire seven.

In 2018, the President dissolved the Palestinian Legislative Council, controlled by Hamas. The movement rejected the decision saying it "has no constitutional or legal value."

The last elections for the Legislative Council were held in 2006.

- Commodity entry

The source pointed out that the talks also addressed ways to facilitate the entry of goods and merchandise into the Gaza Strip in coordination with Egypt.

He indicated that the PA required supervision of the crossings to collect customs, which Hamas also rejected.

Egypt had invited the Hamas and Jihad leaders to a new round of consultations, which began last Saturday, after the arrival of the members of the delegations of the two movements, whether from the Gaza Strip or abroad.

The consultations mainly aim to maintain calm in the Gaza Strip and ensure that the security situation does not lead to another confrontation with Israel.

Arab World

Blinken Reveals US Strategy to Face 'Gravest Danger' in Middle East

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the annual conference of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington (AP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the annual conference of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington (AP)
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Blinken Reveals US Strategy to Face 'Gravest Danger' in Middle East

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the annual conference of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington (AP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the annual conference of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington (AP)

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken laid out a US administration's strategy towards the Middle East region, announcing a three-pronged approach to address the Iranian nuclear threat.

Blinken said that the US has a genuine national security interest in promoting the Abraham Accords, recognizing that there are illusions that this can be done "quickly or easily."

He asserted that a two-state solution, based on the 1967 lines, remains the best way to achieve the goal of Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace.

The top diplomat was speaking at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Summit, markings the 75th anniversary of the US-Israeli "indispensable" partnership, which extends to developing the clean energy technologies of the future, producing vaccines, and charting the future of space exploration.

Blinken recalled part of the historical milestones in the relationship between the two parties and confirmed that Biden's administration is working to strengthen these ties.

Blinken said that the world is "genuinely living through an inflection point, a point that comes around every six or seven generations," where the changes are "so profound," stressing that the US-Israel relationship is underwritten by Washington's commitment to Israel's security.

"That commitment is non-negotiable; it is ironclad," he asserted.

He recalled that his country provides $3.3 billion in foreign military financing to Israel each year, an additional $500 million in funding for missile defense, and tens of millions more for new counter-drone and anti-tunneling technologies.

The fund comes with the 2016 memorandum of understanding negotiated by the Obama-Biden administration, said Blinken, adding that Washington also delivered an additional $1 billion in funding to replenish supplies for Israel's Iron Dome.

Blinken touched on expanding the joint military exercises and conducting collaborative research and development on advanced military capabilities, working together on cutting-edge defense systems, including Israel's new laser-focused Iron Beam, noting that "America is more secure when Israel is strong."

- Iranian danger

Blinken rejected "constant efforts to delegitimize Israel" aimed at "undermining or isolating Israel's rightful place on the international stage," including "anti-Israel efforts to exclude and target it at the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Council, and other forums around the world."

"There is no danger that Israel faces that is graver than the one posed by the Iranian regime," which "routinely threatens to wipe Israel off the map" and continues to provide weapons to terrorists and proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, who reject Israel's right to exist."

He also indicated that Iran is arming Russian forces with drones to kill Ukrainian civilians and destroy their infrastructure in exchange for sophisticated Russian weaponry.

Blinken firmly stressed that Washington would continue its "economic pressure and deterrence reinforce our diplomacy. "

"If Iran rejects the path of diplomacy, then – as President Biden has repeatedly made clear – all options are on the table to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon."

He explained the three-pronged approach based on "diplomacy, economic pressure, deterrence," including "strengthening Israel's military capabilities – has bipartisan support, and it puts us in the strongest possible position to address the Iranian nuclear threat."

- Abraham Accords

The US official stated that Biden's administration is advancing Israel's security by deepening "Israel's relationships with its neighbors to advance our goal of regional integration and de-escalation," describing it as a "cornerstone of his Middle East policy."

He revealed that the State Department will soon create a "new position to further our diplomacy and engagement with governments, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, all working toward a more peaceful and a more connected region."

"We are now working hard behind the scenes, leading with diplomacy to continue the momentum," after Saudi Arabia and Oman unlocked their airspace to civilian flights to and from Tel Aviv.

Lebanon and Israel completed "a historic agreement last fall to establish their permanent maritime boundary."

He said he will visit Jeddah and Riyadh this week to talk with "our Saudi and Gulf counterparts about a more integrated, prosperous, and stable region."

- Two-state solution

Blinken acknowledged that "integration and normalization efforts are not a substitute for progress between Israelis and Palestinians," considering that Israel's relations with its partners should "advance the well-being of the Palestinian people and the prospects for a two-state solution."

He asserted that a two-state solution, based on the 1967 lines, with "mutually agreed swaps – remains the best way to achieve our goal of Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace, with equal measures of security, freedom, justice, opportunity, and dignity."

Blinken believed a "two-state solution is vital to preserving Israel's identity as a Jewish and democratic state," reiterating de-escalation and "refraining from unilateral measures that increase tensions."

He addressed the recent attack at the border with Egypt, which resulted in the deaths of three Israeli soldiers, saying it is "another tragic reminder of these daily dangers."

"Settlement expansion clearly presents an obstacle," said Blinken warning against any "move toward annexation of the West Bank" or "disruption of the historic status quo at the holy sites, the continuing demolitions of homes, and the evictions of families."

Arab World

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Meets Chinese Chargé d'Affairs

The two sides discussed the latest developments to theYemeni crisis - SPA
The two sides discussed the latest developments to theYemeni crisis - SPA
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Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Meets Chinese Chargé d'Affairs

The two sides discussed the latest developments to theYemeni crisis - SPA
The two sides discussed the latest developments to theYemeni crisis - SPA

The Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and Supervisor General of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SPDRY), Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, met Monday in Riyadh with Chinese Chargé d'Affairs Zhao Cheng.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the latest developments in Yemen and ways to reach a comprehensive political solution.

They also highlighted the Kingdom's various efforts to support peace and alleviate the human suffering of the Yemeni people.