President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently engaged in a phone call to discuss the future of Gaza and the ongoing conflict in the region. This conversation was the first time the two leaders had spoken in nearly a month and took place amidst increasing divisions between the United States and Israel, notably between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the establishment of a two-state solution.
President Biden has long been an advocate for a two-state solution that would ultimately lead to the creation of an independent Palestinian state. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly rejected this idea in recent times. As a result, this call provided an important opportunity for the leaders to delve into the details of how to resolve the Palestinian conflict and determine the fate of Gaza post-war.
Following the call, President Biden expressed his belief that it was not impossible to achieve a two-state solution, even with Prime Minister Netanyahu remaining in office. He put forward the concept of a demilitarized Palestinian state, one without a military, as a potential option. This idea reportedly intrigued President Biden and was a subject of discussion during the call.
However, the Prime Minister's office conveyed a different message. They stated that during the conversation with President Biden, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his stance that Israel must retain security control over Gaza once Hamas, the militant group in control of the area, is defeated. The office asserted that this requirement contradicts the call for Palestinian sovereignty.
These contrasting statements highlight the fundamental question of what will happen after the war in Gaza concludes. President Biden has consistently emphasized the necessity of a Palestinian state as the eventual outcome. His Secretary of State has been engaging with various regional partners to address this issue. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu's rejection of this idea has become more public, leading to mounting frustrations within the White House.
The disagreement over the future of Gaza underscores the ongoing dispute between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu. While President Biden remains committed to a two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Netanyahu insists on Israeli security control over Gaza after the conflict.
As the situation unfolds and the war in Gaza comes to an end, the divergent views of the two leaders will likely continue to shape discussions and negotiations. Finding common ground and reaching a resolution that satisfies both parties remains a challenge in the pursuit of lasting peace in the region.
