US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Israel and Palestine comes amid huge tensions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive in Jerusalem on Monday as part of a three-day tour of the Middle East.

Arriving from Egypt, the visit comes amid heightened tensions after Israeli soldiers sealed the childhood home of a 21-year-old Palestinian on SundayKhayri Alqam, who killed seven people at a synagogue in East Jerusalem on Friday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday an extension of punitive measures against Palestinian attackers and their relatives. The course of action includes the withdrawal of social security rights from “the families of terrorists who support terrorism”.

“At the same time, we are expanding and accelerating the issuance of gun permits for thousands of Israeli citizens, including emergency services,” Netanyahu said. “We are not looking for an escalation, but are prepared for every possibility. Our response to terror is a firm hand and a strong, quick and accurate response.”

Israel claims the demolition of Palestinians’ family homes has a deterrent effect, but critics have denounced it as collective punishment, leaving families homeless.

Blink’s visit

Both Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas will meet Blinken separately over the course of Monday and Tuesday — in Jerusalem and Ramallah.

It will be Netanyahu’s first high-level meeting in the US since his return as head of the most right-wing government in Israeli history.