US President Joe Biden stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might still consider some form of a Palestinian state after their first conversation in nearly a month, addressing tensions over the Gaza war.
This follows Netanyahu’s recent opposition to Palestinian sovereignty. Biden, despite the differences, expressed belief in various two-state solutions and noted there are countries without militaries.
The leaders discussed the issue, with Biden emphasizing the promise of a two-state solution. Netanyahu remains focused on Israeli security control, conflicting with the idea of Palestinian sovereignty.
The call also touched on US hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 attack on Israel. The White House confirmed that Biden had pushed the issue with Netanyahu during the call but clarified that it wasn’t a direct response to the Israeli leader’s comments.
“The president still believes in the promise and the possibility of a two-state solution” for both Israelis and Palestinians, said US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
Biden and Netanyahu, known for their complicated relationship spanning 40 years, have had differences in the past, but Biden has stood firmly behind Israel since the October 7 attacks, expressing full US support.
Fresh tensions arose as the toll of the Israeli offensive on Gaza increased, with Biden warning against indiscriminate bombing and advocating for a two-state solution.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, emphasized that Israel would not achieve genuine security without a pathway to a Palestinian state.
The October 7 attacks resulted in the deaths of about 1,140 people in Israel, primarily civilians. Militants seized around 250 hostages, and despite the release of some, approximately 132 remain in Gaza.
Israel’s offensive has claimed at least 24,762 Palestinian lives, with the majority being women, young children, and adolescents, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
