With the United Nations General Assembly witnessing an overwhelming vote for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, US President Joe Biden criticized Israel’s continued bombardment and killing of civilians. He said Israel is losing global support.
This is the first time that Biden has openly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza since it took retaliatory measures to counter Hamas’ October 7 attack. The United States is also facing backlash for its continued support for Israel.
More than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, with majority being women and children.
Israel Doesn’t Want a Two-State Solution
President Biden even lamented that Israel doesn’t want a two-state solution, prosperity for Israel and Palestine, and their peoples. He said you cannot say there’s no Palestinian state at all in the future.
“We have to work together bringing Israel together in a way that provides for the beginning of a two-state solution. Ben Gvir and company, and the new folks don’t want anything remotely approaching a two-state solution…they not only want to have retribution, which they should, for what Hamas did, but against all Palestinians…they don’t want anything to do with the Palestinians.”
He added that Benjamin Netanyahu has to change his approach. “I think he has to change, and with this government, this government in Israel is making it very difficult for him to move. Bibi’s got a tough decision to make. This is the most conservative government in Israel’s history.”
Biden said Israel has the world’s support, but the Benjamin-led government is beginning to lose support because of its military offensive against Hamas in Gaza and the rising number of civilian deaths. He added that Hamas must be held accountable for October 7. “We have to be careful. The whole world’s public opinion can shift overnight.”
US and Israel Disagreements
The disagreements between the US and Israel are getting bigger about post war Gaza. Netanyahu said he would not allow Gaza to be controlled by the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority because it supports and finances terrorism. “Gaza will be neither Hamastan nor Fatahstan.”
The Israeli prime minister admitted that he and the US administration disagree on what should happen in Gaza after the war. “Yes, there is disagreement about the day after Hamas and I hope that we will reach agreement here as well. I will not allow Israel to repeat the mistake of Oslo. After the great sacrifice of our civilians and our soldiers, I will not allow the entry into Gaza of those who educate for terrorism, support terrorism and finance terrorism.”