Blinken pushes for Israel to defuse tensions with Palestinians

US Secretary of State calls for restraint and dialogue

Antony Blinken on three-day visit to Israel and the West Bank

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday called on Israel to take steps to defuse tensions with the Palestinians, saying it was in Israel's own interest to prevent a further escalation of violence.

Blinken, who arrived in Israel on Monday for a three-day visit, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.

In a press conference in Tel Aviv, Blinken said that he had urged both sides to take steps to calm the situation and avoid further bloodshed.

"We believe it is critical for all parties to take steps to de-escalate tensions and prevent further violence," Blinken said. "This includes refraining from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric."

Blinken also stressed the importance of preserving the status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem, which have been a flashpoint for violence in the past.

"We continue to believe that the status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem should be maintained and that any unilateral actions that could undermine it are unacceptable," Blinken said.

The US Secretary of State's visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and the Palestinians. In recent weeks, there have been a number of deadly attacks in Israel and the West Bank, and the Israeli government has responded with airstrikes and raids in the occupied territories.

Blinken's visit is seen as an attempt to help defuse tensions and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.