Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed pride on Saturday for preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state, diverging from the long-standing policy priority of the United States in the region.
In a news conference, Netanyahu stated, “I’m proud that I prevented the establishment of a Palestinian state because today everybody understands what that Palestinian state could have been, now that we’ve seen the little Palestinian state in Gaza.” This statement underscores his perspective on the situation in the Gaza Strip and his opposition to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
He then talked about the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which he referred to using the biblical term “Judaea and Samaria.” Netanyahu expressed pride
Netanyahu continued by stating, “Everyone understands what would have happened if we had capitulated to international pressures and enabled a state like that in Judaea and Samaria, surrounding Jerusalem and on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.”
Furthermore, he directed criticism at the Palestinian Authority, the governing body in Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank. Netanyahu characterized the Oslo Accords, the diplomatic agreements from 1993 between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization that led to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, as a “mistake” that he had “inherited.” This reflects his perspective on the historical context and implications of those agreements.
Martin Indyk, the former United States ambassador to Israel, expressed his opinion on social media, writing, “So all those promises to world leaders about his commitment to a 2-state solution were a bunch of lies.” He continued, “And all those enablers who swore Bibi was serious about peace have some explaining to do.” Indyk’s comments suggest skepticism about Netanyahu’s commitment to a two-state solution and imply that those who supported that commitment should address their endorsements in light of the recent statements made by the Israeli Prime Minister.
The United States has for decades prioritized the “two-state solution,” which would involve the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state, facilitated by various land swaps and other concessions from both sides. U.S. President Joe Biden has repeatedly called for a two-state solution in recent months.