Blinken says Israelis, Palestinians should enjoy “equal” treatment

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed in a phone call with his Israeli counterpart on Friday that Israelis and Palestinians should enjoy “equal measures” of freedom, security, prosperity and democracy.

In a phone conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Blinken "emphasized the administration's belief that Israelis and Palestinians should enjoy equal measures of freedom, security, prosperity and democracy," State Department spokesman Ned Price revealed.

Blinken’s statements reflected more of a focus on the Palestinians than the pro-Israel policy, conducted by U.S. President Joe Biden’s Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, asserting that the new US administration cautiously steps up efforts for a two-state solution.

Moreover, the two leaders discussed regional security challenges, humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, and the normalization of relations with Arab and Muslim majority countries, Price added.

In recent days, Biden Administration has increased humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, making clear that it strongly believes that Israel's control of the West Bank is "occupation."

"We believe when it comes to settlement activity that Israel should refrain from unilateral steps that exacerbate tensions and that undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution," Price said Thursday.

Blinken's predecessor Mike Pompeo has previously stated that he did not consider Israeli construction on land seized in 1967 to be illegal.

However, Blinken has clarified that the new administration will not roll back some of Trump's signature moves, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.