Washington: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed to oppose Israeli settlements or annexation in West Bank but promised to judge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's incoming government by actions and not personalities.

Netanyahu is expected within days to return to power after sealing coalition deal with extreme-right movements including religious Zionism, which is set for post in charge of settlements in occupied West Bank.

Speaking to J Street, left-leaning pro-Israel US advocacy group, Blinken offered congratulations to veteran Israeli leader, who has clashed with previous democratic administrations in Washington.

"We will gauge government by policies it pursues rather than individual personalities," Blinken said.

But he said President Joe Biden's administration would work "relentlessly" to preserve "horizon of hope", however dim, for creation of Palestinian state.

"We will also continue to unequivocally oppose any acts that undermine prospects of two-state solution, including but not limited to settlement expansion, moves toward annexation of West Bank, disruption to historic status quo of holy sites, demolitions and evictions and incitement to violence," Blinken said. He said that Biden administration will insist on "core democratic principles, including respect to rights of LGBTQ people and the equal administration of justice for all citizens of Israel".

Far-right groups in Netanyahu's coalition will include Noam, whose leader Avi Maoz is staunchly opposed to LGBTQ rights.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 05 2022

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