Mike Pompeo Expresses Support for Israeli Response to Gaza Protests

Secretary of State Pompeo and Ayman Safadi, foreign Minister of Jordan

Gardiner Harris, in the New York Times, writes, “Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking in Jordan at the end of a four-day, four-nation tour through the Middle East, expressed support on Monday for Israel and its response to weekly protests in Gaza that have left dozens of people dead. ‘We do believe the Israelis have the right to defend themselves, and we’re fully supportive of that,’ he said at a news conference with Ayman Safadi, the Jordanian foreign minister, when asked about the protests.  Mr. Pompeo, the former C.I.A. director who headed overseas almost immediately after he was sworn in on Thursday, also refused to fully endorse the two-state solution, the longtime policy of the United States before the Trump administration, to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ‘With respect to the two-state solution, the parties will ultimately make the decision about what the right resolution is. We’re certainly open to a two-party solution as a likely outcome. We certainly believe the Israelis and Palestinians need to have political engagement. We urge the Palestinians to return to that political dialogue.’

“Mr. Pompeo’s remarks came a day after he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, but there were no discussions with Palestinian leaders, who have cut off political contact with the Trump administration. Mr. Safadi said that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the key to peace and stability in the Middle East, a long-held view by many in the region. Jordan is a crucial American ally.” (read more)