An unnamed State Division official stated this morning that the US is working to increase the Abraham Accords normalizing relations between Israel and Arab nations. Briefing journalists forward of the anticipated assembly right this moment between Overseas Minister Yair Lapid and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the official stated, “We proceed to welcome the economic cooperation between Israel and all nations within the area. We hope that normalization could be leveraged to advance progress on the Israeli-Palestinian tracks.”
Lapid is assembly Blinken now for a trilateral assembly with Emirati Overseas Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The three ministers may also dine collectively at Blinken’s invitation. Earlier than leaving tomorrow, Lapid is scheduled to fulfill with the management of the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC. Yesterday, Lapid met with US nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan, Speaker of the Home Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Lapid’s three-day journey to Washington takes place on the backdrop of rising issues in Jerusalem over Washington resuming talks with Tehran for a return to the nuclear accord. Lapid had stated earlier than leaving for the US that he intends to concentrate on three matters: Iran’s nuclear program, increasing the Abraham Accords and therapeutic US ties to Israel. Yesterday he tweeted, “The center of my visit is the Iranian nuclear concern, nevertheless it additionally offers with one different factor: strengthening the bipartisan reference to the following technology of younger People. This technology is engaged not solely in wars and conflicts, but in addition within the local weather disaster, the worldwide immigration disaster and questions of identification.”
In his assembly with Sullivan, Lapid argued that Iran is edging nearer to changing into a nuclear menace. “We mentioned plenty of safety points, particularly the Iranian menace. I shared with him Israel’s concern about Iran’s race towards nuclear functionality and that’s Iran is changing into a nuclear threshold state. We mentioned the necessity for an alternate plan to the nuclear settlement. We additionally mentioned my plan for the Gaza Strip — “economy for security” — and methods to strengthen the alliance between the US and Israel,” he tweeted. On Oct. 5, Israel’s nationwide safety adviser Eyal Hulata met with Sullivan on the White Home within the framework of the US-Israel Strategic Consultative Group. The assembly revealed that the gap between the Israeli and American positions on talks with Iran continues to be fairly extensive.
In his assembly with Pelosi, Lapid addressed relations between Israel and the Democratic Social gathering, broken underneath Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in addition to the latest delay in US approval for a navy support package deal to Israel. “I simply met with Speaker of the Home Nancy Pelosi, a great friend of Israel. I personally thanked her and all of the members of the Congress who supported the replenishment of the Iron Dome missile protection system for his or her help of Israel’s safety,” he stated, including, “America is Israel’s closest ally and we’re grateful for the continued dedication proven by Congress to Israel’s safety, most just lately demonstrated by the extensive bipartisan majority which supported the replenishment of the Iron Dome missile protection system.”
Lapid instructed Harris, “I’m glad to be right here with one of the best friends Israel has in Washington. We will all the time rely on you in a tough second. This friendship is predicated on shared values. Democracy, liberty, human rights and respect for these completely different from you, wherever they arrive from.”
At a gathering at George Mason College Sept. 29, Harris nodded whereas a student accused Israel of genocide in opposition to the Palestinians. Her workplace later clarified that Harris firmly rejects the coed’s place. At their assembly yesterday, Harris didn’t discuss with the Palestinian concern or Palestinian statehood. Lapid did point out the subject, saying, “All of us imagine as you stated that the Palestinians are entitled to have a quality of life, an financial system and schooling and hope.”
