On his week-long trip to the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank, and Egypt.
NTD spoke to Aryeh Lightstone, the former adviser of the U.S. ambassador to Israel, to find out more about what Mr. Blinken is—and should be—trying to achieve on his trip.
“I hope that his message will be strong and resolute,” said Mr. Lightstone. “I’m concerned that his message instead will be half and half, meaning half ‘We’re with you … But be careful what you do.’ And I think that’s the wrong message.” He warned against sending mixed signals, and urged for a decisive approach to eradicate Hamas and ensure the safe return of hostages—something he said the United States had “failed miserably” to do.
Regarding the recent killing in Beirut of deputy Hamas chief Saleh al-Arouri, Mr. Lightstone said it sends a strong signal throughout the region.
“It’s a very clear message from Israel that if you intend to murder, rape, and behead Israeli citizens, Israel will find you—wherever it is that you are,” he said.
