Blinken Orders Review of Palestinian Statehood Options, Drawing Criticism and Concerns from Israel
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Secretary of State Blinken has ordered a review of options for US and worldwide recognition of a Palestinian state.
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The review is meant to present options including allowing the UN to admit Palestine as a member state and encouraging other countries to recognize a Palestinian state.
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The review is seen as a response to insistence by Saudi officials on Palestinian statehood as a condition for potential normalization with Israel.
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Some Biden officials are considering making recognition of a Palestinian state the first step in negotiations rather than the final achievement.
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Israeli PM Netanyahu has warned against a Palestinian state, saying Israel must retain security control over the West Bank, while critics see the US review as rewarding terrorism.