We will always be there by your side, Blinken pledges after meeting Israeli PM

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has visited Israel (Jacquelyn Martin, pool/AP)

US secretary of state Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Thursday with a pledge of unwavering support from America.

Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Blinken said: “You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourselves, but as long as America exists you will never have to. We will always be there by your side.”