Netanyahu tells Biden “no sovereign Palestinian state”
In a phone call with the American President on January 19, Israel’s far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told him what he really thought about the Palestinians.
In what was the first time that Biden spoke to the Israeli supremo in a month, the two discussed the possibility of a sovereign and free Gaza or indeed any form of Palestinian right to self determination, an idea rejected by the latter it was revealed, according to ITV News.
Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, “In his conversation with President Biden, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his policy that after Hamas is destroyed Israel must retain security control over Gaza to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel, a requirement that contradicts the demand for Palestinian sovereignty.”
British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said that the Israeli head’s stance on the issue was disappointing and he reiterated Britain’s position.
The cabinet minister affirmed, “I think it’s disappointing to hear Benjamin Netanyahu saying he doesn’t believe in a two-state solution.
“In fairness, he’s said that all of his political career, as far as I can tell. I don’t think we get to a solution unless we have a two-state solution.”
He added that his country “certainly remains wedded” to the idea of a sovereign Palestinian state, “so we do disagree on that particular issue.”
READ: Lawsuit filed against Biden administration over Gaza stance
Biden stressed that he spoke to Netanyahu about the importance of ensuring that all the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 as well as Israel limiting civilian deaths.
On the President Biden X (formerly Twitter) account he wrote, Today (January 19), “Prime Minister Netanyahu and I discussed efforts to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas. We reviewed moves to increase humanitarian aid for civilians while keeping military pressure on Hamas, and I reiterated Israel’s responsibility to protect civilians.”
Israel has been relentless in Gaza for over three months and have murdered 25,500 residents many of whom were children. There have also been reports of captives taken by the Palestinian militant group being killed in Israeli strikes.
Amidst South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel for claims of genocide as well as failing to prosecute those inciting such acts, Netanyahu denied that he had ever encouraged it.
He was mocked by social media users as he referenced a passage in the Bible, “Remember what Amalek did to you”, as an attempt to refute accusations of genocidal incitement.
Dozens of X users noted panned him afterwards for his “biblical illiteracy” as well as accusing him of targeting Palestinians.
In response, Netanyahu supporters claimed that he was talking about Hamas and not the entire Palestinian population.
ITV/CNN
