Joe Biden opposed to “unilateral recognition” of a State of Palestine

Supporter of a two-state solution according to his advisers, Joe Biden opposes recognition “unilateral” of the State of Palestine, specifies one of its spokespersons. President “believes that a Palestinian state must come into being through direct negotiations between the parties,” he said. said Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council. This statement from the White House spokesperson comes in reaction to the decision to recognize the State of Palestine taken by Spain, Ireland and Norway, which hope to be joined by other European countries.

“It is a position of principle that we have consistently affirmed”then commented National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. “Each country is free to make its own decisions” in this matter, he also said. Direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians have been at a standstill for ten years.

Jake Sullivan also warned Israel on Wednesday against possible financial reprisals targeting the Palestinian Authority. Under agreements reached in the 1990s, partly with Norwegian mediation, Israel collects money on behalf of the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank. But remittances to the Palestinians were halted after the October 7 attack.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a representative of the far-right, wants to end a financial arrangement in favor of the Palestinian Authority in which Norway is involved. “It is a poor strategic decision because withholding funds destabilizes the West Bank, undermines the Palestinians’ quest for security and prosperity, which is in Israel’s interest, and we should not withhold funds that provide goods and services to innocent people”estimated the National Security Advisor.