Blinken: Regional Integration in the Area Cannot Occur Without Recognition of a Palestinian State

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the conflict in Gaza as "painful" on Wednesday, stating, "There is a need for a Palestinian state that gives people what they want and cooperates with Israel to function effectively." In a speech delivered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he said, "The suffering breaks my heart... the question is what needs to be done." He emphasized the necessity of establishing a genuine Palestinian state led by a unified authority. Blinken added, "There will be no regional integration in the area without recognition of a Palestinian state and the development of the authority." He further remarked, "There is a humanitarian tragedy in both Israel and Palestine that must be put to an end."