Blinken to visit Egypt, Israel, West Bank from 29-31 January

CAIRO – 27 January 2023: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will make a visit to Egypt, Israel, and the West Bank from 29-31 January, where he will discuss global and regional issues, the US Embassy in Cairo said on Thursday.

Blinken’s visit to Egypt will be on 29-30 January, where he will meet with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and other senior officials, including Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

His visit to Egypt seeks to advance Egypt-US relations and promote regional peace and security, including by jointly supporting elections in Libya and the ongoing Sudanese political process, the embassy noted.

Blinken’s visit to Israel and Ramallah will take place from 30-31 January.

Blinken will hold meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials, including Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, where they will discuss the enduring US support for the Israeli security, especially against Iranian threats, said the embassy.

Blinken will also discuss Israel’s deepening integration into the region, Israeli-Palestinian relations and the need for a two-state solution, as well as a range of other global and regional issues, said the embassy

In the West Bank, Blinken will also discuss Israeli-Palestinian relations and the need for a two-state solution as he is scheduled to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and senior Palestinian Authority officials.

Blinken will also discuss political reforms and further enhancing the US relations with the Palestinian people and leadership during his meetings with Palestine’s leaders.

“With both Israeli and Palestinian leaders, the Secretary will underscore the urgent need for the parties to take steps to deescalate tensions in order to put an end to the cycle of violence that has claimed too many innocent lives,” the embassy said.

Blinken will also discuss the need for upholding the historic status quo of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, “in words and in actions,” the embassy affirmed.

During his trip to the three countries, Blinken will also engage with civil society to “underscore our commitment to human rights, support for civil society, and the enduring importance of people-to-people ties,” according to the embassy.