An American academic confirmed that if the administration of US President Joe Biden wants to involve the Israelis in its diplomatic initiatives, it must reduce its diplomatic ambitions and focus its efforts on reaching an agreement to end the Israeli war on Gaza only instead of the two-state solution and the urgent departure of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dr. Leon Hadar, contributing editor at the National Interest website and senior researcher at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia, explained that reaching an agreement to end the war on Gaza is very difficult, and that Israeli-Palestinian peace will not be achieved even if Netanyahu leaves office tomorrow.

He said that Netanyahu stepping down from power is not difficult, and there is a long list of reasons that make him resign from his position and retire from political life, starting with the 2019 indictment on charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud, but his absence from the scene will not herald peace.

He explained that some in Israel and “many” in Washington see Netanyahu as the main obstacle to a diplomatic solution and ending the war in Gaza, which, according to Biden and his aides, must be based on the so-called “two-state solution” and include the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Turn the Israelis to the right

Hadar expressed his belief that the shock of the Hamas attack shifted Israeli positions toward rejecting the idea of an independent Palestinian state, and brought the majority closer to the right and largely to Netanyahu regarding continued Israeli military control over Gaza and the rest of the occupied Arab territories.

He said that those who currently support the establishment of a Palestinian state among Israelis do not exceed 25%, and those who agree to its establishment agree to a form of state that the Palestinians cannot accept.

Renewing the call for a two-state solution

Hadar commented by saying that most Israelis, with the exception of right-wing extremists and left-leaning peace supporters, today agree with Netanyahu’s vision for a Palestinian state, as does Benny Gantz, who is seen as the main successor to Netanyahu. He opposes the annexation of the West Bank and Gaza, but he also opposes any solution. Under which no Palestinian entity is completely demilitarized and stands with a united Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The writer quoted the "Times of Israel" as saying that Gantz, as well as Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and even opposition leader Yair Lapid, expressed their annoyance at the renewed rhetoric of the administration of US President Joe Biden regarding the need for a two-state solution since the outbreak of the war, and specifically urged it to refrain from speaking out. We publicly announced the two-state solution after the attack of last October 7.

Source: National Interest