While in Israel, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin raised worries over Israeli settlement violence against Palestinians and issued a warning against actions that would fuel further unrest.
As demonstrators demonstrated against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right administration and Israeli troops killed three Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Austin attended meetings in Tel Aviv.
The Pentagon chief stated, “I’m here as a friend who is profoundly dedicated to the security of the State of Israel, but the United States also stands firmly opposed to any activities that may provoke further insecurity, including settlement expansion and provocative speech.
During a joint press conference with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, he said, “We are extremely worried by settler violence against Palestinians. We will continue to oppose activities that might drive a two-state solution farther out of reach.
Austin’s discussions had to be moved last-minutely because to the thousands of Israelis who were protesting the government’s proposals for legal reform blocking the roadways in and surrounding Ben Gurion Airport, close to Tel Aviv.
In addition, the border police of Israel shot and killed three alleged Palestinian terrorists in the West Bank only hours prior to Austin’s arrival in that country.
Three males were “martyred” by Israeli troops after being shot in Jaba, a city near Jenin in the north, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
We had a frank and open talk among friends about the need to de-escalate, to lessen emotions, and to restore tranquilly, especially before the holidays of Passover and Ramadan, Austin added.
The Pentagon commander also urged on the “Palestinian leadership to confront terrorism and to restore security cooperation and to reject incitement”.
14 children have died this year, according to the ministry of health, out of the 78 Palestinians who have been slain.
An AFP count based on official sources from both sides shows that thirteen Israeli adults and children had died over the same time span.
