U.S. defence secretary Lloyd Austin expressed worry about Israeli settler violence towards Palestinians and issued a warning against any actions that would worsen regional insecurity.
When protests gathered against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right government and Israeli troops killed three suspected Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Austin attended discussions in Tel Aviv.
The United States continues to firmly oppose any actions that could lead to increased insecurity, such as settlement expansion and inflammatory rhetoric, Austin said. “I’m here as a friend who’s deeply committed to the security of the State of Israel,” he added.
At a joint press conference with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, he stated, “We are extremely worried by settler aggression against Palestinians. We will continue to oppose activities that could drive a two-state solution farther out of reach.
Austin’s talks had to be moved last-minutely because to road blockages caused by thousands of Israelis objecting to the Netanyahu government’s plans for legal reform near Ben Gurion Airport.
Also, the Israeli border police’s undercover agents killed three Palestinians in the West Bank just hours prior to Austin’s entry in Israel.
Three males were “martyred” by Israeli forces after being shot in Jaba, which is close to the northern city of Jenin, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Austin stated, “We had a really open and honest talk among friends about the need to de-escalate, to lessen emotions and restore tranquilly, especially before the holidays of Passover and Ramadan.
The “Palestinian leadership to confront terrorism, reestablish security cooperation, and denounce incitement,” he further said.
Netanyahu stated Israel and the U.S. have a “single agenda to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons” during a meeting with Austin at Ben Gurion Airport.
“You’ve heard us repeatedly state that we are devoted to the security of Israel,” Austin retorted.
They spoke before Netanyahu’s departure for Rome, which protesters had attempted to impede by blocking access highways with their cars.
Smaller protests were occurring all around the nation, requiring Netanyahu to use a helicopter to the airport rather than a car.
Opponents of the reform measures, which would give politicians more control over the courts, have protested for nine consecutive weeks. Tens of thousands of protesters have been attracted to them because they believe the ideas endanger democracy.
The rise in West Bank violence has coincided with the term of Netanyahu’s coalition administration, which was elected in December and is thought to be the most right-wing in Israeli history.
The “martydom” of three men who were shot by Israeli soldiers in Jaba, close to the northern city of Jenin, was declared by the Palestinian health ministry in the morning.
Sufyan Fakhoury, 26, Ahmed Fashafsha, 22, and Nayef Malaysha, 25, were the dead men, according to the ministry. It didn’t give any more information.
Seven Palestinians were killed in an Israeli military operation on Jenin on Tuesday, including a Hamas member suspected of killing two Israeli Israelis last month.
The “cycle of violence… must be stopped immediately,” according to U.N. Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland, who called on Israel and the Palestinians to “observe calm and restraint” on Wednesday.
Walid Nassar, 14, was the seventh person killed in the raid on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Some observers worry that there may be more bloodshed, especially around Jerusalem’s sacred sites during the Passover festival in April and the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which starts in late March.
75 Palestinian adults and kids, including militants and civilians, have died in the fighting since the year’s beginning.
According to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) count based on official sources from both sides, thirteen Israeli adults and children, including members of the security forces and civilians, and one Ukrainian civilian have been killed over the same period.
