Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Israeli President Herzog
US Department of State
Readout
Office of the Spokesperson
February 17, 2024
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Munich. The Secretary reaffirmed Israel's right to ensure the terrorist attacks of October 7 can never be repeated. Secretary Blinken and President Herzog discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and achieve a humanitarian pause that would help enable the increased flow of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Secretary Blinken reiterated that the United States could not support a military ground operation in Rafah without a credible and implementable plan for ensuring the safety of the more than one million people sheltering there.
Secretary Blinken emphasized the need for all parties to take feasible measures to protect civilian lives and prevent the conflict from expanding. The Secretary underscored the U.S. commitment to lasting peace in the region, including through the establishment of a Palestinian state with security guaranteed for Israel.
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