The conflict between Israel and Hamas has entered its 100th day. President Joe Biden recently stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not dismiss the possibility of a two-state solution for Palestine. However, the Prime Minister contradicted these comments.
On January 19, Biden and Netanyahu had a telephone conversation. The U.S. president had earlier expressed the view that a two-state solution, involving the independent existence of Palestine alongside Israel, was not feasible as long as Netanyahu held the position of prime minister.
The U.S. has consistently advocated for this solution as the primary means to resolve the longstanding conflict between the two parties. While most European leaders also endorse this idea, Netanyahu has consistently opposed it.
Nevertheless, following a meeting with mayors from the United States, reporters raised the issue with the president once more. The journalist inquired whether a two-state solution continues to be unattainable with Netanyahu in his current position.
Biden replied, stating that it was not an impossibility. The day prior, Netanyahu conducted a press briefing, reiterating that a two-state solution was not on the table. When questioned by the reporter, the president was asked whether the U.S. would reconsider the terms linked to its aid for Israel in light of this stance.
The president expressed confidence in finding common ground between the U.S. and Israel. Biden suggested the possibility of establishing a two-state solution involving a demilitarized Palestine. He highlighted that various United Nations member countries operate without armed forces.
On January 20, the Israeli prime minister utilized social media to assert that he would not jeopardize his country’s security, deeming it incompatible with the existence of a Palestinian state. The following day, Netanyahu released a press statement, firmly rejecting any notion of a two-state solution. The prime minister argued that a Palestinian state would pose an existential threat to Israel and pledged to persist in opposing the solution throughout his tenure as the prime minister.
