Prime Minister Netanyahu Clarifies Stance on Palestinian State Amid Conflicting Reports
In a rare statement issued on Shabbat, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office vehemently denied reports that he told US President Joe Biden he hasn’t ruled out the creation of a Palestinian state. This comes after CNN, citing an inside source, suggested that Netanyahu’s earlier public comments seemingly rejecting the idea were not meant to rule it out entirely.
“In his conversation last night with President Biden, Prime Minister Netanyahu repeated his consistent position for years,” the statement from the Prime Minister’s Office read. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel must maintain full security control of the Gaza Strip after the elimination of Hamas to prevent any threat to the country, a stance that conflicts with the demand for Palestinian sovereignty.
President Biden, addressing reporters after a meeting with US mayors, clarified that the possibility of a two-state solution was not impossible with Netanyahu in office. He hinted at potential variations of the two-state solution that might align with Netanyahu’s stance, citing countries in the UN without their own militaries as examples.
Biden’s administration has been exploring the idea of a demilitarized Palestinian state, a concept the president finds intriguing. Mark Regev, Netanyahu’s senior adviser, reiterated Israel’s goal of allowing Palestinians self-governance without the capacity to pose a threat to Israel.
The serious nature of the Biden-Netanyahu conversation suggests ongoing discussions about the attributes of a potential future Palestinian state, with both leaders considering various options. As the situation unfolds, Biden expresses optimism about finding workable solutions, emphasizing the need for a formula that ensures both Israeli and Palestinian interests.
