President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu Discuss Palestinian Statehood in Phone Call
In a highly anticipated phone call, President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally broke their nearly four-week silence to discuss the issue of Palestinian statehood. The conversation comes at a crucial time, as fundamental differences between the two leaders have become increasingly apparent, particularly regarding the potential pathway to Palestinian statehood once the conflict in Gaza comes to an end.
Despite the mounting global condemnation over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, President Biden and his top aides have shown unwavering support for Netanyahu and Israel. However, their relationship has shown signs of strain as Netanyahu repeatedly rejects Biden’s calls for Palestinian sovereignty, which the U.S. president believes is essential for achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.
The phone call took place one day after Netanyahu made it clear that he does not support a Palestinian state as part of any post-war plan. In response, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to working towards helping the Palestinians achieve statehood. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized the importance of addressing the aspirations of the Palestinian people in any discussions about post-conflict Gaza.
The frequency of calls between Biden and Netanyahu has significantly decreased since the start of the war, reflecting the growing divide between the two leaders. Both are constrained by domestic political considerations, with Biden facing pressure from the left to push Israel towards restraint in its military operations and Netanyahu dealing with a hard-right coalition and ongoing corruption charges.
While Biden publicly expressed hope for winning over Netanyahu, there are concerns about the political motivations driving their relationship. With an upcoming presidential election and the weakness of both leaders, political considerations may continue to dominate their interactions, leading to further divergence.
Ron Dermer, a top aide to Netanyahu, and Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, have taken on more prominent roles in facilitating communication between the two leaders. Other senior officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, have also been actively engaged in fostering dialogue with Israel and other Middle East allies.
Netanyahu, who has consistently opposed a two-state solution throughout his political career, firmly rejected Biden’s push for Palestinian statehood. He argues that a Palestinian state would pose a security threat to Israel and insists on maintaining security control over the entire territory west of the Jordan River.
The Biden administration remains hopeful that Israel will eventually accept a Palestinian state with robust security guarantees. They believe that Israel’s Arab and Muslim neighbors are ready to integrate Israel into the region once the conflict ends, contingent on Israel committing to a pathway to Palestinian statehood.
While Biden understands the challenges Netanyahu faces within his coalition and the ongoing corruption charges, he has not given up on the possibility of a two-state solution. However, critics argue that Biden’s support for Israel may be influenced by the upcoming presidential election and the desire to avoid alienating voters.
The Biden-Netanyahu relationship has experienced its fair share of ups and downs over the years. Biden privately criticized Netanyahu during his time as vice president, but they have also found common ground on certain issues. The elusive two-state solution has long eluded U.S. presidents and Middle East diplomats, but Biden and his team believe that a new dynamic is emerging in the region, with Israel’s Arab and Muslim neighbors potentially embracing a Palestinian state if Israel commits to it.
Despite Netanyahu’s public rejection of Biden’s call for a two-state solution, White House officials remain optimistic that Israel may eventually come around to accepting it with adequate security guarantees. The intersection between policy and politics is a delicate balance that President Biden must navigate as he seeks to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and work towards a lasting peace in the region.
In conclusion, the phone call between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu highlighted the ongoing tensions and differences between the two leaders regarding Palestinian statehood. While their relationship has faced challenges in the past, both leaders understand the importance of finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The path to a two-state solution remains elusive, but Biden and his team are hopeful that a new dynamic in the Middle East could pave the way for progress. As the war in Gaza continues, the world watches with anticipation to see how these leaders navigate the complex political landscape and work towards a lasting peace.
