Anti-US sentiment on the rise in Arab region over support for 'Israel'
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Leaders in the Middle East have warned Blinken during his diplomatic tour in the region this week of rising anti-US sentiments.
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US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken waves as he boards an aircraft during his departure from Washington to travel to the Middle East on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP)
Arab leaders warned US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who is currently on tour in the region, that the Arab public, held the United States, along with "Israel", responsible for the rising civilian death toll in the Gaza Strip.
Citing Arab leaders, NBC News reported that the intense public resentment is fueled by distressing images of the massacres and devastation caused by the Israeli occupation forces' ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Significantly, the NBC report highlighted contradictory statements between the US and Israeli leaders. While Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed he anticipated a prolonged war, a senior US administration official accompanying Blinken told NBC that the US anticipated the war concluding in a matter of weeks.
The report further emphasized that Blinken is expected to urge "Israel" to "wind down" its genocide in the Strip and utilize "precision targeting" to diminish civilian casualties as the number of martyrs has exceeded 23,000.
NBC further reported that Arab leaders also underscored their willingness to assist the US with the post-war reconstruction and governance effort in the Gaza Strip, stressing their rejection of any plan of forced displacement in the Strip.
On his part, Blinken voiced his rejection of any statement urging the forced displacements of Gazans, saying any such statements are "irresponsible" and "inflammatory".
These statements were made in Doha, on January 7, where Blinken also stressed that "Palestinian civilians must be able to return home as soon as conditions allow. They cannot and they must not be pressed to leave Gaza."
Blinken rejected those statements as “irresponsible” and “inflammatory” at a news conference in Doha on Sunday after meeting with Qatari leaders.
“Palestinian civilians must be able to return home as soon as conditions allow. They cannot and they must not be pressed to leave Gaza,” he said.
Blinken is now set for a meeting with the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman before heading to "Tel Aviv".
Safadi urges Blinken: Halt aggression, protect civilians, and aid Gaza
Blinken held a meeting with Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman on Sunday, as part of his ongoing tour across West Asia.
Blinken's fourth trip to the region within three months coincides with heightened tensions following the Israeli assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy chief of Hamas' political bureau, last Tuesday. Additionally, international condemnation of "Israel's" genocide is on the rise.
During the meeting, Safadi discussed with Blinken the ongoing developments in Gaza and the escalating humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israeli aggression which enters its then-93rd day.
He also emphasized "the urgent need for an immediate cessation of aggression, the protection of civilians, and ensuring the sufficient and sustainable delivery of humanitarian and medical aid to all areas of Gaza."
The talks also addressed the necessity of "halting the illegitimate Israeli measures in the West Bank and occupied al-Quds." Additionally, the two Ministers discussed bilateral and regional issues.
