Benjamin Netanyahu Says He Is 'Proud' To Have Prevented A Palestinian State

In contradiction to the U.S.’s long-term strategic plans for the region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced his satisfaction over the prevention of a Palestinian state’s formation.

What Happened: Netanyahu, as reported by HuffPost on Monday, proudly announced his role in blocking the establishment of a Palestinian state.

"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,"  he said.

He also criticized the Palestinian Authority and the Oslo Accords, which he termed an “error.” Netanyahu stated that he “inherited” the accords that led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority in 1993.

These comments stirred immediate reactions. The U.S.’ former ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk, accused Netanyahu of dishonesty about his commitment to a two-state solution.

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The remarks have been interpreted as a direct response to U.S. President Joe Biden’s repeated calls for a two-state solution. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) considered these comments a “direct response” to Biden’s requests.

Netanyahu has a history of undermining the prospect of a two-state solution, including supporting the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, thereby complicating peace talks. His recent remarks also coincided with the Israeli military’s acknowledgment of killing three Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Why It Matters: This development comes amid escalating tensions in the region. In December 2023, the United Nations General Assembly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution, which three-quarters of the member states voted for, highlighted Israel's growing diplomatic isolation in its conflict with Hamas.

Meanwhile, Biden expressed concerns that Israel's "indiscriminate" bombing is eroding global support for its fight against Hamas. He also emphasized the need for Israel to change its hardline government and acknowledged the inevitability of an independent Palestinian state, a view opposed by Israeli hardliners.

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