Blinken Says He’s Bringing Israel Message That US Has Its Back

Secretary of State will then travel to Jordan, other nations
US will continue effort to forge ties between Saudis, Israel

Antony Blinken speaks before boarding a plane at Andrew Air Force Base, Maryland, on Oct. 11. — Antony Blinken speaks before boarding a plane at Andrew Air Force Base, Maryland, on Oct. 11.
Photographer: Jacquelyn Martin/AFP/Getty Images

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By Iain Marlow

October 11, 2023 at 6:43 PM UTC

Updated on

October 12, 2023 at 1:54 AM UTC

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he’s bringing a message that “the United States has Israel’s back” as he departed for Tel Aviv Wednesday after the assault by Hamas that has sparked a new war in the Middle East.

The top US diplomat is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials on Thursday. Israel is attacking Gaza from the air and may be preparing for a ground invasion after the attack by Hamas, the militant group that killed at least 1,200 Israelis. Israel’s retaliatory strikes have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians.