President Biden suggested on Friday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could pursue a two-state solution with the Palestinians if given the “appropriate” conditions.
asked via NBC News If he believes Prime Minister Netanyahu will change his mind about the path to Palestinian autonomy, he replied, “If we think about the right path, yes.”
His comments followed the Israeli prime minister's rejection of the United States and other Arab states in the region considering establishing a Palestinian state after the end of the war between Israel and the militant group Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that “in any future arrangement…Israel must have security control over all its territory west of Jordan.” “This conflicts with the idea of sovereignty. What can be done?”
In response, White House national security press secretary John Kirby insisted these were not new comments from the prime minister, but said he “clearly takes a different view.”
“We believe that the Palestinian people have every right to live in peace and security in an independent state,” Kirby said. “And the president and his team intend to continue that effort.”
Biden spoke by phone with Netanyahu on Friday for the first time in nearly a month to discuss the war and the latest developments in Gaza, according to White House pool notes.
Asked by reporters if his administration would reconsider sending additional aid to Israel following the prime minister's remarks, Biden said he thought “we can figure something out.”
“There are many types of two-state solutions,” he says. “There are a lot of countries that are members of the United Nations that don't yet have their own armed forces. So I think there are ways this could work.”
The exchange came after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that finding a two-state solution is “necessary” for Israel to have “true security.” Arab states in the region agreed to work with the United States on the plan, but only if Israel participates.
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