Netanyahu and Biden Discuss Future of Palestinian State in Phone Call
In a recent phone call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden, Netanyahu clarified his remarks from the previous day regarding the creation of a Palestinian state. According to a person familiar with the conversation, Netanyahu explained that his comments were not meant to rule out the possibility of a Palestinian state in any form. The conversation between the two leaders was described as “serious” and “detailed,” with discussions centered around the attributes of a future Palestinian state that would need to be negotiated.
The Biden administration has been engaged in discussions about the concept of a demilitarized Palestinian state, an idea that President Biden finds intriguing. One administration official stated that Biden is familiar with the various schools of thought surrounding this issue and that they inform his thinking as he pushes for a two-state solution with a security guarantee for Israel. Biden himself referenced the possibility of different types of two-state solutions during a press conference at the White House, mentioning countries that are members of the UN but do not have their own military.
While Biden expressed belief in the viability of a two-state solution, he acknowledged that reaching an agreement would not happen overnight. He stated that he would continue working towards this goal and hoped that Netanyahu would ultimately agree to a two-state solution.
Netanyahu’s senior adviser, Mark Regev, emphasized Israel’s intention for Palestinians to govern themselves without posing a threat to Israel’s security. He stated that finding a formula where Palestinians can rule themselves but not have the capability to threaten Israel would be beneficial for both Israelis and Palestinians.
However, there remains a gap between Biden and Netanyahu on the question of what will happen to Gaza once the Israel-Hamas war concludes. Despite American efforts to engage officials in Israel and the wider region on a plan for resolving the conflict, the two leaders continue to disagree on this fundamental issue.
Biden’s aides recognize that bridging this gap will not be easy, but they view the prospect of a demilitarized Palestinian state as a potential opening. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has also publicly discussed the idea of a demilitarized Palestinian state, suggesting the involvement of international forces to ensure security for both states.
The phone call between Biden and Netanyahu did not result in any new agreements regarding the future of Gaza or the conflict there. However, Biden reiterated his strong conviction in the viability of a two-state solution, acknowledging that reaching this goal would take time.
The differences between Biden and Netanyahu have been a source of tension, with Biden expressing frustration over the right-wing members of Netanyahu’s government hindering progress towards a two-state solution. Despite this, the Biden administration has maintained a strategy of privately counseling and occasionally criticizing Israel on the war in Gaza, rather than publicly shaming them.
Netanyahu’s recent comments rejecting the idea of a Palestinian state appear to have caused a public rift between the US and Israel. Senior administration officials have downplayed Netanyahu’s remarks, stating that he has made similar statements in the past. They emphasized that disagreements between allies are normal and that candid discussions can still take place.
As Biden continues to navigate the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the future of a Palestinian state remains uncertain. However, his commitment to a two-state solution with guarantees for Israel’s security suggests that he will continue working towards a resolution. Only time will tell if Biden and Netanyahu can bridge their differences and find a path towards peace and stability in the Middle East.
