US Secretary of State discusses Iran, Abraham Accords, Palestinian issue with Israeli PM; talks West Bank tensions, efforts to preserve prospects for two-states with PA leader

Riyad al-Malki vents frustration at US president for retaining predecessor's pro-Israel policies, expresses hopes Riyadh won't normalize ties with Jerusalem

Abbas's step comes days after Washington panned Israeli judicial overhaul law; PA president has been trying to subjugate judiciary for years, and local critic says move is cosmetic

US president says Jerusalem shares blame for recent violence due to cabinet members who push settlement expansion while rejecting Palestinian rights

PA minister Ahmad Majdalani tells ToI that Beijing can use billions in trade as leverage to coax Jerusalem to come to the table as Washington's influence on the global stage wanes

But Arab activists demand improvements in treatment of all US travelers at all Israeli crossings before Biden administration begins allowing Israelis into US without visas

Jason Greenblatt, ex-Middle East special representative, says Biden making expansion of Abraham Accords harder, and gives money too easily to Palestinians

Israeli entry into US Visa Waiver Program conditioned on it allowing Palestinian-Americans to travel freely through country like other US citizens after decades of travel headaches

After members bow to American pressure, withdraw resolution urging halt to settlement activity, they issue softer joint statement saying actions imperil prospects for 2 states

Facing US pressure, Ramallah suffices with symbolic Security Council statement panning settlements, while Israel will agree to halt some, but not all, activity beyond Green Line