Biden affirms commitment to Palestinian state despite Netanyahu’s stance
text_fields
In a recent call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Joe Biden signalled optimism for the creation of an independent Palestinian state, challenging media reports suggesting that the Biden administration views Netanyahu's departure as essential to their regional plans.
During the call, the first in nearly a month, the leaders discussed differences over a future Palestinian state and Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza, where the Palestinian death toll is reportedly approaching 25,000, according to local health authorities. Contrary to widespread media speculation, Biden, in Friday's conversation, reaffirmed his commitment to working toward Palestinian statehood, countering claims that he sees Netanyahu's exit as a prerequisite for progress.
This development follows a televised press conference by Netanyahu, where he plainly told US officials that he would not support a Palestinian state as part of any postwar plan. The leaders' call, lasting 30 to 40 minutes, marked their first conversation since December 23, raising questions about the state of US-Israel relations.
Despite frequent communication in the early weeks of the conflict, Biden and Netanyahu's recent conversation occurred amid deepening rifts over potential scenarios for Gaza's reconstruction and governance post-conflict. While the US has been a staunch supporter of Israel throughout the conflict, officials in Washington have sought to downplay reports suggesting a fundamental disagreement over the future of the region.
Speculation about the Biden administration viewing Netanyahu's departure as essential to their plans has been widely circulated in the media. However, Biden, in the Friday call, dismissed the notion that a two-state solution would be impossible with Netanyahu still in office, stating unequivocally, "No, it's not."
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, during a recent trip to Israel, highlighted the readiness of Arab leaders across the Middle East to assist in Gaza's reconstruction but emphasized the need for a regional approach that includes a pathway to a Palestinian state.
The call between Biden and Netanyahu touched on efforts to return hostages held by Hamas and discussed Israel's shift to more "targeted" operations in Gaza to facilitate humanitarian assistance. Biden, while pressuring Israel to reduce Palestinian deaths, maintained his strong support for the country in its conflict against Hamas.
Netanyahu faces increasing domestic pressure as polls show a decline in support for his Likud party, reinforcing his reliance on far-right coalition members. Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces, criticized Netanyahu's handling of the campaign against Hamas, calling for a ceasefire to free the remaining hostages.