President Biden declared Tuesday that there is a “path forward” toward peace between Israel and the Palestinian territories, starting with the release of hostages held by Hamas.
“Despite the challenges, there is a path forward,” Biden, 81, told late night host Seth Meyers in a rare television interview.
The president said if the Israeli government releases the remaining hostages held in Gaza by the terrorist group responsible for last October’s massacre in the Jewish state, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Sunday, will begin. They announced that they had agreed to a ceasefire during the period. .
“First of all… we have to free the hostages who are being held,” Biden said. “Ramadan is approaching and there was an agreement on the Israeli side to not carry out any operations during Ramadan to give time to rescue all the hostages.”
Biden suggested that a potentially long-term ceasefire could lead to many Arab countries formally recognizing Israel and starting the process of a two-state solution.
Biden said the Israeli government “must seize the opportunity to bring peace and security to Israelis and Palestinians who are being used as pawns of Hamas.”
“I think if we can get a temporary ceasefire, we can change the dynamics and move towards a two-state solution. We can establish a process that will lead to a two-state solution, not immediately. ” ,” he added.
The president also said that Israel’s bombing of Gaza appears to have “slowed down” and that Israel “has made a commitment to me that they will try to evacuate significant parts of Rafah before clearing Gaza.” Ta. Remnants of Hamas. ”
Biden’s appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” was in celebration of the NBC comedy’s 10th anniversary.
He joined the show and was welcomed onto the set by actress Amy Poehler. Mr. Biden and Mr. Poehler were the first two guests on Mr. Meyer’s first show in 2014.
At one point, Meyers asked Biden how he would address voters’ concerns about Biden’s age during the campaign in light of special counsel Robert Hur’s scathing report into his handling of classified documents. Criminal charges are possible, in part because jurors might view him as an “old man with a bad memory.”
“Look at the guy, he’s about my age,” Biden responded, referring to former President Donald Trump, who is four years younger than him.
“What matters is how old your ideas are,” he added. “Look, I mean, this is the guy who’s trying to bring us back.”
Mr. Biden also spent time during the sit-in recalling his guest appearance on “Parks and Rec,” telling Mr. Poehler, who was a star of the NBC TV show, that he “bragged about that for a long time.” Told.
When Meyers asked the president about the so-called “Dark Brandon” meme that supporters and his own campaign frequently deploy on social media, Biden joked that he was “really upset about it,” but also said that “Dark Brandon” is “really outraged.” He pulled out a Brandon meme. Leave your aviator-style sunglasses on for a few minutes.
