Blinken meets with Herzog, Netanyahu during fourth visit to Israel

Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. (GPO)

Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Thursday for his fourth visit to the Jewish State since Hamas launched its terror attack on Oct. 7.

Blinken first met with President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv where they discussed Thursday morning's shooting by Hamas terrorists at the entrance to Jerusalem that left at least 3 people dead and 16 wounded. The two terrorists were also killed.

The two also acknowledged the death of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, with Herzog describing the powerful diplomat as a "giant" and a "titan."

"We are big admirers of Henry Kissinger, who laid down the foundations of so many great decisions of his and processes which he has led, which has brought results that we feel until today, peaceful results," Herzog said. "He laid the cornerstone of the peace agreement, which were later signed with Egypt, and so many other processes around the world. I admired Henry Kissinger."

Blinken followed up by saying Kissinger "set the standard" for everyone in the Secretary of State role.

"I was very privileged to get his counsel many times, including as recently as about a month ago. He was extraordinarily generous with his wisdom, with his advice. Few people were better students of history – even fewer people did more to shape history – than Henry Kissinger," Blinken said.

Blinken then went to Jerusalem to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu privately.