U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, called the Palestinian position toward Israel a shrinking horizon of hope.

According to Blinken, the first steps need to be taken to de-escalate, end violence, reduce tensions, and try to lay the groundwork for more positive action in the future.

These are necessary first steps, but they are also not enough.  It is also important to continue to strive not only to reduce violence, but also to ensure that in the end Israelis and Palestinians enjoy the same rights and opportunities, said the U.S. Secretary of State.

He also recalled that the United States is working to strengthen its relationship with the Palestinian people, citing as an example the support provided through UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East - ed.).

According to Blinken, through the agency, the U.S. has provided about $890 million to the Palestinians for everything from food and vaccines to refugee support, education and other areas.