Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again stated his firm position on Palestine, sparking controversy. This declaration comes amidst a devastating situation in Gaza, where a reported 65,000 individuals, including nearly 20,000 children, have lost their lives due to ongoing violence. The crisis has resulted in mass displacements and casualties, exacerbated by recent bombings in Qatar, a country actively involved in peace negotiations. Netanyahu’s recent remarks, made during an event in an Israeli settlement near Jerusalem, assert, “We will uphold our commitment that there will be no Palestinian state. This land is our rightful territory.”
This stance directly challenges the two-state solution, a longstanding policy supported by the United States, despite its close ties with Israel. US presidents, starting with Bill Clinton in 2000, have consistently endorsed the two-state solution following the Oslo Accords. Even George W. Bush and Barack Obama reiterated their backing for a Palestinian state, with the latter criticizing Israel’s expansion of settlements. The current Biden administration also upholds the two-state solution as the primary pathway to sustainable peace and security.
In contrast, during Donald Trump’s presidency, US support for the two-state solution waned. The Trump administration explored alternative options, suggesting US administration of Gaza and Palestinian resettlement, actions that undermined the potential for Palestinian statehood. Trump’s decisions, such as recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the US embassy there, further marginalized the two-state framework.
Netanyahu’s recent statement not only challenges decades of US foreign policy but also disregards widespread international criticism. Twenty-one countries, including key allies like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, have condemned Israel’s plans for a new illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, warning that such actions hinder the possibility of a two-state solution. Despite global outcry, Israel continues to violate international humanitarian laws with impunity. The world witnesses the ongoing crisis in Gaza, with civilians facing starvation, children targeted in schools, and essential workers, including aid providers, doctors, and journalists, being killed.
Countries offering unconditional support to Israel must recognize that these actions not only endanger Palestinian lives but also jeopardize regional stability and global security. These actions contradict the fundamental human values upheld by the international community. Urgent steps are needed to revive the two-state solution, address the humanitarian crisis, ensure the flow of aid into Gaza, and hold Israel accountable for its actions.