resident Joe Biden on Friday said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu about possible solutions for creation of an independent Palestinian state, suggesting one path could involve a non-militarized government.
Biden’s call with Netanyahu was the first in nearly a month, the White House said, noting the discussions focused on Israel’s ongoing strikes in Gaza.
White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that Biden had been trying to schedule the call “for quite a bit of time” and denied it came in response to Netanyahu’s comment on Thursday saying he objected to Palestinian statehood that did not guarantee Israel’s security.
Asked if a two-state solution was impossible while Netanyahu was still in office, Biden said, “No, it’s not.”
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with US mayors, Biden said Netanyahu was not opposed to all two-state solutions, and there were a number of types possible, noting that some United Nations members do not have military forces.
Biden was asked if he would reconsider conditions on Israel aid given Netanyahu’s comments rejecting a two-state solution.
“I think we’ll be able to work something out … I think there’s ways in which this could work,” he said.
Biden and Netanyahu also discussed efforts to secure the remaining hostages held by Hamas, and Israel’s shift to more “targeted” operations in Gaza to allow more humanitarian assistance to come through, the White House said.
Biden has been pressuring Israel to reduce Palestinian deaths even as he has maintained his strong support of Israel in its war against Hamas.
But the two men do not see eye-to-eye on Palestinians having a state, a solution Biden has advocated to achieve long-term peace.
“The president also discussed his vision for a more durable peace and security for Israel fully integrated within the region and a two state-solution with Israel’s security guaranteed,” the White House said in a statement about their call.
Netanyahu had said in a press conference that he told Washington he objected to any Palestinian statehood that did not guarantee Israel’s security. “Israel must have security control over the entire territory west of the Jordan River. That’s a necessary condition,” he said.
Biden’s call came as Red Crescent officials accused Israel of firing on a hospital in Khan Younis, the main city in the southern part of Gaza.
