Biden reiterated to Netanyahu the need for a two-state solution International

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Friday for the first time in nearly a month, as their differences appeared to become increasingly public. The call, in which the White House tenant reiterated the need to establish a future Palestinian state, came after the Israeli leader categorically rejected that perspective, a fundamental pillar on which Washington rests…

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Friday for the first time in nearly a month, as their differences appeared to become increasingly public. The call, in which the White House tenant reiterated the need to establish a future Palestinian state, came after the Israeli leader categorically rejected that perspective, a fundamental pillar on which Washington bases its proposals for a post-war day in Gaza. . But in statements during a meeting with mayors, Biden assured that Netanyahu was not opposed to “all” the Palestinian state model. “I believe we will achieve some solution,” he maintained, declaring that it was “not impossible” to achieve a two-state solution while the current Israeli prime minister is in power.

According to American news portal Axios, the telephone conversation, which lasted about 40 minutes, was the first since December 23, when the conversation between the two leaders was so uneventful that Biden hung up on his interlocutor. This time, according to the White House, Israel and Gaza took more diplomatic courses to discuss the latest developments.

According to a National Security Council spokesman, the two discussed public and behind-the-scenes steps taken by Hamas and other Palestinian groups to free hostages since the radical militia attacked Israel on October 7. John Kirby, at the daily White House press briefing. They also discussed “one direction of millimeter operations that would allow more humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, while maintaining significant military pressure on Hamas and its leaders,” and Biden congratulated Netanyahu on Israel’s decision to allow access by sea. of the shipment of the lot, the spokesperson indicated.

Much of the conversation was devoted to what has become a major stumbling block in the relationship between the two governments that, at the beginning of the conflict, seemed unbreakable: the post-war future and the need for a solution. , Israeli and Palestinian. Biden also addressed his vision for “more lasting peace and security for a fully integrated Israel in the region.”

Tensions between the two allies have been particularly evident since Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to the Middle East earlier this month, his fourth trip to the region since the current war in Gaza began in October. In a meeting to try to prevent the conflict from spreading to other parts of the region and to prepare for the day after the war, the head of American diplomacy proposed a plan to the Israeli authorities, through which Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. Contribute to the reconstruction of the Strip and Riyadh will agree to normalize relations with Israel, in exchange for steps towards the establishment of a Palestinian state that coexists peacefully with Israel.

control security

On Thursday, Netanyahu categorically ruled out that possibility. “In any future agreement, Israel needs to control the security of all areas west of Jordan,” the prime minister said.

Despite Netanyahu’s rejection, Biden “continues to believe in the promise and possibility of a two-state solution. He understands that it will take a lot of work. That will require a lot of leadership in the region, especially on both sides of the issue. But the United States is firmly committed to seeing that outcome in the future,” John Kirby emphasized.

The two leaders also addressed Israel’s payment of tax revenue to the Palestinian National Authority in the West Bank and “recent progress in ensuring that Palestinian officials, including the Palestinian Security Forces, are available to pay salaries,” he said. Kirby said. “President Biden also addressed Israel’s responsibility to minimize civilian casualties and protect innocents while maintaining military pressure on Hamas,” the spokesperson added.

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