President Biden Discusses Possibility of Independent Palestinian State with Prime Minister Netanyahu

Washington: U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, addressing potential solutions for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The President suggested one avenue could involve the formation of a non-militarized Palestinian government.

This call marked the first conversation between Biden and Netanyahu in nearly a month, with discussions focusing on Israel’s ongoing strikes in Gaza. White House spokesperson John Kirby clarified that the call had been in the works for some time, dismissing suggestions that it was a response to Netanyahu’s recent comment expressing reservations about a Palestinian statehood that didn’t ensure Israel’s security.

When asked if a two-state solution was feasible while Netanyahu was in office, Biden responded, “No, it’s not.” However, he emphasized that Netanyahu was not categorically opposed to all two-state solutions, pointing out the possibility of various types and highlighting that some United Nations members operate without military forces.