(Washington) Joe Biden “still believes in the prospect and possibility” of a Palestinian state, but “recognizes that it will take a lot of work to get there,” a White House spokesperson said on Friday , John Kirby.
The American president, according to this spokesperson for the National Security Council, discussed his position with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a “30 to 40 minute” conversation.
It was the first meeting between the two leaders, whose relationship is notoriously difficult, since December 23.
The American president spoke, according to John Kirby, of “the ongoing efforts to free the hostages” still held in the Gaza Strip, the “responsibility of Israel” to protect civilians in this Palestinian territory at war and the “progress” on the contentious subject of taxes collected by the Israeli authorities in the occupied West Bank, which the Palestinian Authority demands to be repaid to it.
PHOTO BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
US President Joe Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit to Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023.
Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday rejected a recurring request from Joe Biden, namely the coexistence, in the future, of the State of Israel with a Palestinian state.
“Israel must have security control over all territory west of the Jordan River. This is a necessary condition, which is in contradiction with the idea of (Palestinian) sovereignty,” said the Prime Minister, specifying that he had said this directly to the Americans.
The position is not new, but these remarks once again highlighted the differences between the United States and its ally.
Joe Biden, however, estimated a little later that a two-state solution was not impossible in his opinion as long as Benjamin Netanyahu remained in power.
“There are several types of two-state solutions,” said the American president on the sidelines of an event at the White House, referring to “countries which are members of the UN” and which “have not their own army.
“I think there are ways to make this work,” said the 81-year-old Democrat.
The United States is exerting pressure on Israel, of which it is the primary diplomatic and military supporter, both on the conduct of the war in Gaza and on the longer-term prospects.
The last telephone exchange between the two leaders took place on December 23 and was stormy, according to the American press.
The war in the Gaza Strip was triggered by an unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7 in southern Israel which killed 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official figures.
Some 250 people were kidnapped and taken to Gaza during the attack, around 100 of whom were released during a truce at the end of November. According to Israel, 132 remain detained, of whom 27 are believed to have died.
In retaliation, Israel vowed to “annihilate” Hamas, which seized power in Gaza in 2007. According to the Hamas health ministry, 24,762 people, the vast majority women and minors, were killed in Israeli operations.