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US President Joe Biden stated on Friday that there remains a possibility for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a form of a Palestinian state.
The two leaders spoke for the first time in nearly a month amid tensions over the Gaza war. Biden’s comments come after Netanyahu expressed opposition to Palestinian sovereignty following the conflict with Hamas, creating divisions between Israel and its key backer, Washington.
Despite Netanyahu’s stance, Biden mentioned that it’s not impossible for him to consider a two-state solution, which has been proposed for decades as a way to ease tensions in the Middle East. Biden emphasized that there are various types of two-state solutions, citing examples of UN member countries without their own militaries.
Netanyahu’s openness to these possibilities was not explicitly disclosed by Biden. The call also addressed the issue of US hostages still held by Hamas since the October 7 attack on Israel. The Biden-Netanyahu relationship, spanning over 40 years, has faced challenges, with the two leaders last speaking on December 23, raising questions about a potential rift. Netanyahu has pledged to dismantle Hamas and demilitarize Gaza, resisting US pressure for a plan that includes any form of Palestinian statehood.
The White House affirmed Biden’s commitment to the promise and possibility of a two-state solution and clarified that the call was not a direct response to Netanyahu’s recent comments. The discussion also touched on the toll of the Israeli offensive on Gaza, with Biden warning against indiscriminate bombing and advocating for a two-state solution. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Israel would not achieve genuine security without a pathway to a Palestinian state. The October 7 attacks resulted in casualties in both Israel and Gaza, with ongoing tensions and concerns about the path forward.
