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Israeli troops continue to carry out acts of violence that cause casualties on the Palestinian side. PHOTO/Reuters
WEST BANK – High diplomat United States of America (US) for the Middle East criticized the decision Palestine to decide security coordination with Israel . The statement came after Israeli troops killed several Palestinians during attacks in the West Bank.
“We don’t think this is the right step to take at this time,” said Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, as quoted by Al Arabiya, Thursday (26/1/2023).
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Speaking to reporters ahead of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Cairo, Ramallah and Jerusalem this weekend, Leaf described the killing of Israeli civilians as “regrettable.”
Israel says it is carrying out raids into Jenin to detain members of the group it suspects are behind several terror operations. On Thursday evening, the Palestinian Authority announced that it would suspend security coordination with Israel.
“Far from retreating from security coordination, we believe it is critical for the parties to maintain and, if anything, deepen security coordination,” Leaf said.
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Leaf called for calm from both sides and said Blinken’s weekend trip would be an opportunity for him to emphasize the Biden administration’s commitment to a two-state solution.
Tensions and violence have escalated over the last few months, and fears are growing that the situation could once again spiral out of control in the wake of the new Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and seen as one of the most far-right cabinets in recent history.
Other countries, including Saudi Arabia, condemned Israel’s attack on Jenin. Riyadh called on the international community to assume its responsibility to end the “occupation, stop Israeli escalation and aggression, and provide the necessary protection to civilians.”
(esn)
