Blinken has said that a Biden administration will not condition aid to Israel on policy choices, will keep the embassy in Jerusalem and will staunchly support Israel at the United Nations .

In May, Biden wrote that he “firmly” rejects the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, and Blinken has backed up that stance.

Antony “Tony” Blinken was born on April 16, 1962, in Yonkers, New York, to Jewish parents Judith and Donald Blinken.

“Security assistance to Israel is sacrosanct,” Blinken said, noting the more than $3 billion the US provides to Israel in foreign military funding.

Despite the rightward tilt of the Israeli government, the Biden administration has stressed that its support for Israel will remain unconditional – a position reiterated by Washington on Thursday.

Israel – which leading human rights groups have accused of imposing a system of apartheid against Palestinians – receives at least $3.8bn in US military aid every year.

“In Israel, [Blinken] will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, and other senior leaders to discuss the enduring US support for Israel’s security, particularly against threats from Iran,” the Department of State said.

Blinken will start his trip in Egypt where he will meet President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other senior officials to “advance the US-Egypt strategic partnership and promote peace and security in the region,” the statement said.