The tense two-hour meeting with Antony Blinken

Blinken in Jerusalem: the search for a way out of an endless conflict

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Jerusalem this week illustrates the complex challenges facing international mediators in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After seven unsuccessful trips to the region since the start of the war last October, Mr. Blinken is stepping up efforts to try to defuse tensions.

During a marathon interview lasting more than two hours with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the head of American diplomacy once again reiterated Washington’s pressing call for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip. . A key element of the ongoing negotiations would aim to release Israeli hostages held by Hamas, in exchange for a truce and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

However, the gap seems to be widening between the American and Israeli positions. While Mr. Blinken insists on “the need to avoid a further expansion of the conflict”, emphasizing the risks of a humanitarian catastrophe, Mr. Netanyahu sticks to his objective of a large-scale military operation to “destroy” the last Hamas strongholds in Gaza.

This strategic divergence fuels tensions between the two historic allies. No joint press conference took place following their talks, a sign of persistent dissension. Israeli Minister Orit Strook even described the agreement under discussion as “unacceptable”, seeing it as a denial of the initial war objectives.

At the heart of the negotiations is the burning issue of the border town of Rafah, where the last Hamas battalions are said to be entrenched according to the IDF. Although reaffirming his “clear position” on this strategic area, Antony Blinken is struggling to convince Israeli leaders to abandon a major land offensive.

Yair Lapid’s opposition, on the other hand, seems ready to support a compromise, saying it is willing to join a coalition to ratify a possible hostage agreement. An opening which could facilitate its adoption, in the face of criticism from a section of the current majority.

Beyond the differences on the security aspect, the shadows of the International Criminal Court hang over these negotiations. President Isaac Herzog denounced the prospect of arrest warrants against Israeli officials, calling it an “unprecedented anti-Semitic hate crime” for Benjamin Netanyahu.

In this delicate context, American mediation seems once again to stumble over the thorny security equation and the deep internal political divisions in Israel. If Antony Blinken reiterates Washington’s unwavering commitment to its ally, the quest for lasting peace in this region remains an arduous challenge to overcome.

Jforum.fr