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US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, arrived in Paris this Tuesday, April 2, to meet with President Emmanuel Macron and other senior officials of his Government, with the wars in Gaza and Ukraine among the priorities of the diary. In a press conference with the French Foreign Minister, Stéphane Séjourné, Blinken urged Israel to conduct a “quick and exhaustive” investigation into the attack by its Army in which seven workers from the NGO World Central Kitchen died in Gaza. In addition, Washington's head of diplomacy pointed out that his country is trying to obtain information about the attack, attributed to Israel, against the Iranian consulate in Syria.
The Secretary of State of the United States, Antony Blinken, arrived in Paris this Tuesday, April 2, with the aim of discussing mainly the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, with President Emmanuel Macron and other senior officials of the French Government.
However, the first part of his visit has been marked by two attacks that would have the seal of his ally in the Middle East: the attack that killed seven workers of the NGO World Central Kitchen in Gaza, which has already been admitted by the State of Jewish majority as “unintentional”, and another assault, attributed to the same military institution, against the Iranian consulate in Syria.
We have urged a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation
“We have spoken directly with the Israeli Government about this particular incident. We have urged a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation,” he said regarding the deadly assault in the Palestinian enclave, in a press conference, alongside the Foreign Minister of French, Stephane Sejourne.
Blinken also highlighted the importance of protecting the integrity of humanitarian workers, whom he described as “heroes” who “run into the fire.”
In that line, Sejourne expressed “strong condemnation of the Israeli attack that led to the death of the seven humanitarian workers,” from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Poland and the Palestinian Territories.
The minister added that “the protection of humanitarian personnel is a moral and legal imperative that everyone must comply with.”
Nothing justifies such a tragedy
Regarding the reality of the Gazans, who are experiencing the siege applied by Israel and with constant bombings that have already raised the death toll to at least 32,916, the French Foreign Minister assured that “the humanitarian situation there is catastrophic and worsens day by day. . Nothing justifies such a tragedy.”
Furthermore, Sejourne recalled that “in this context, Security Council decisions, including the recently adopted resolution 2728, must be implemented”, which refers to a ceasefire.
Following international backlash, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the assault as “unintentional” and “tragic,” promising an independent investigation.
The attack on the Iranian consulate marks the beginning of Blinken's visit to France
Faced with the attack, attributed to Israel, against the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, Blinken maintained that his Government is “trying to consult facts” to know “exactly what happened.”
“We work together every day, France and the United States, especially in Lebanon, to prevent there from being a conflict between the parties,” Blinken added.
Hours earlier, Tehran accused Washington of knowing in advance about this action, whose authorship Israel has not yet confirmed or denied. However, Joe Biden's Administration has already denied having any prior knowledge about it.
For his part, Sejourne stated that all of France's actions in the Middle East are aimed at reducing tensions in the region.
However, he avoided referring directly to the attack against the Iranian diplomatic headquarters.
Iran blamed Israel for that aggression and threatened revenge.
Sejourne also stressed that the danger of an escalation of regional violence in the Middle East lies with certain actors in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.
France will sanction Russian companies that produce fake news
Sejourne announced France's intention to propose sanctions at the European Union level against those responsible for spreading disinformation, in what he calls Russia's growing efforts to destabilize the 27-nation bloc.
Sejourne stressed that Moscow “resorts to lies and manipulation of our public opinion, in particular by financing interference, promoting false media and accusing Ukraine.”
In addition, the French minister took aim at the Kremlin's efforts to blame Ukraine for the recent terrorist attack claimed by a branch of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, in the Russian capital, which left at least 140 people dead.
“I will propose a sanctions regime against those who support disinformation and destabilization in our country and in Europe as a whole,” Sejourne stressed.
Meanwhile, Blinken took the opportunity to highlight the importance of providing support to Ukraine, urging the United States Congress to approve a multibillion-dollar military package as soon as possible, amid Republican party blockades that in return demand new border security measures.
With AFP and Reuters
