Blinken Elevates Palestinian Claims to Jerusalem at J Street Conference
Secretary of state described anti-Israel J Street as ‘remarkable organization’ that he consults regularly
Antony Blinken / Getty Images Adam Kredo • December 6, 2022 2:00 pm
Secretary of State Antony Blinken elevated Palestinian claims to Jerusalem during a keynote speech on Sunday before the anti-Israel group J Street, which Blinken described as “a remarkable organization.”
While the Biden administration “continues to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital,” it is “central to the national visions of both Palestinians and Israelis, and must be a city for all of its people,” Blinken said. He also touted the Biden administration’s renewed engagement with the Palestinian government, which includes nearly $1 billion in U.S. taxpayer aid, and accused “Israeli settlers” of perpetrating violence against Palestinians, a line that drew applause from J Street’s crowd.
The secretary’s comments about Jerusalem raised eyebrows with pro-Israel leaders in Congress, particularly as the Biden administration seeks to elevate diplomatic ties with the Palestinian government by reopening a Palestinian Affairs consulate in the city. This decision has drawn accusations that the administration is working with the Palestinians to erode Israel’s sovereignty over the city. Groups like J Street opposed the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital, calling it “a reckless decision that brings with it no tangible benefits.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) told the Washington Free Beacon that Blinken’s comments are an effort by the Biden administration to “elevate Palestinian claims” to Jerusalem.
“The Biden administration is committed to leveling the claims between the Palestinians and Israel to Jerusalem, Israel’s eternal and unified capital,” Cruz said. “If they could move our embassy out of Jerusalem they would, but they’re not prepared to pay the political price that would incur. So instead, they intend to elevate the Palestinian claims, most notably by trying to open a Palestinian-facing consulate in the city. It’s both predictable and abhorrent.”
A State Department spokesman told the Free Beacon that “Jerusalem itself is a final status issue to be resolved through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.” The spokesman added that the “U.S. position is that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel” and that “the United States is committed to keeping the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, which we recognize as Israel’s capital.”
Blinken’s engagement with J Street—an activist group that has positioned itself as the leading critic of incoming Israeli prime
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