Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to dismiss the growing calls in the international system for a two-state solution, saying neither Hamas nor Fatah would govern Gaza when the war is over.
“I greatly appreciate the American support for destroying Hamas and returning our hostages. Following an intensive dialogue with President Biden and his team, we received full backing for the ground incursion and blocking the international pressure to stop the war,” Netanyahu said.
The Prime Minister admitted that Israel and the U.S. disagree over “the day after Hamas” but said he hopes the two allies will reach an agreement there as well.
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“I would like to clarify my position: 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. Gaza will be neither Hamastan nor Fatahstan,” Netanyahu said.
Shortly after, President Biden seemed to fire back at Netanyahu’s comments, saying: “You cannot say there’s no Palestinian state at all in the future. We have to work toward bringing Israel together in a way that provides for the beginning of… a two-state solution.”
Biden also warned that Israel could lose support for its war against Hamas du to its “indiscriminate bombing of Gaza.”
Netanyahu is “a good friend, but I think he has to change, and… This government in Israel is making it very difficult for him to move,” the president added.
Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi doubled down on Netanyahu’s statement, saying Israel respects and cherishes Biden “who went out of his way during the most difficult period of the State of Israel. This is true friendship. But we live here, this is our country. The historical property of our ancestors.”
“There will be no Palestinian state here. We will never allow another state to be established between Jordan and the (Mediterranean) sea,” Karhi added.