Blinken arrives in 'Israel', 'support as long as America exists'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Oct 2023 16:46

The US Secretary of State claims that "Israel" has "the right, indeed an obligation to defend itself and to ensure that this will never happen again."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog make statements to the media in "Tel Aviv", Thursday Oct. 12, 2023 (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool)

After touching down in "Tel Aviv", US Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a joint press conference with Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, during his visit to tackle the matter of unaccounted-for Americans killed or held hostage.

"The message that I bring to Israel is this: You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself but as long as America exists, you will never ever have to, we will always be there by your side," Blinken said.

The diplomat also claimed that "Israel" has "the right, indeed an obligation to defend itself and to ensure that this will never happen again".

At the moment, the US is supplying ammunition to restock "Israel's" Iron Dome, as the first shipments of which have already arrived and, according to Blinken, more are on the way.

It was stressed during the conference that the US will continue to work with "Israel" to release hostages as the former seeks intensive regional diplomacy so that the clashes don't spill over.

"I come before you not only as the United States secretary of state but also as a Jew" and "a husband and father of small children," Blinken remarked, addressing in a personal manner.

'Worst attack since 1973'

On Saturday when the strikes launched, during an interview with CNN, Blinken said that Operation Al-Aqsa Flood was the worst attack on "Israel" since the 1973 war.

Blinken said in his statement, "Washington's focus now is on helping Israel ensure it has what it needs to deal with this situation."

"We are considering specific additional requests made by the Israelis, and they are likely to be announced today."

Blinken clarified that "those opposing normalization are Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, so it would not be surprising if part of the motivation behind this attack is to disrupt efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel."

This comes as US President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that he ordered moving aircraft carrier Gerald Ford to the eastern Mediterranean with the aim of supporting the US naval presence in the Middle East.

"The Department of Defense has moved the USS Jr. Ford carrier strike group from the eastern Mediterranean and bolstered our fighter aircraft presence. We stand ready to move in additional assets as needed," he revealed after his administration pledged to send the naval vessel to help the Israeli occupation.