US President Joe Biden said Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government has some “of the most extreme members” he has seen in Israel and that cabinet ministers who refuse to settle “wherever they want” in the West Bank “Part of the problem”. in conflict.
During a CNN interview, he not only made rare comments about his thoughts on the Israeli government, but also provided an update on his government’s efforts to negotiate a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, saying, “We’re still there.” far cry.”
Biden was pressed about what it would take to invite Netanyahu to visit the White House, but he dodged the question, noting that Israeli President Isaac Herzog will be in Washington next week.
Herzog was invited by leaders of Congress to a joint session in honor of Israel’s 75th year of independence. He is also expected to meet with Biden at the White House, but these invitations are traditionally made just days in advance.
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Netanyahu, on the other hand, has yet to receive an invitation, despite having been back in office for over six months. Previous prime ministers, including himself, had already made the trip on their own terms by then. Biden told reporters in late March that Netanyahu would not be coming “anytime soon” due to US frustration with the Israeli government’s efforts to radically reform the country’s judiciary.
Despite the lack of an invitation, Biden stressed that he has been an adamant supporter of Israel “since…since I’ve been here.”
Far-right leaders Itamar Ben Gvir (L) and Bezalel Smotrich in the Knesset on December 29, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Biden said to Netanyahu: “I think [he] try it [figure out] how he can solve his existing problems in the interests of his coalition.”
“I’m among those who believe that Israel’s ultimate security lies in a two-state solution,” Biden said this is one.” one of the most extreme cabinet members I have ever seen. And I go back to Golda Meir and so on. Not that it was extreme, but I go back to that time.”
In fact, in recent years, none of the cabinet members have advocated a two-state solution, and many advocate the annexation of large parts of the West Bank without giving equal rights to Palestinians in those areas. Netanyahu even told his party last month that Israel must “crush” Palestinian aspirations for a state.
Biden said that Israel is not solely to blame for the recent uptick in violence in the West Bank, but that it is “part of the problem” — specifically the West Bank people [Israeli] Cabinet that says… we can settle down wherever we want, [and the Palestinians] have no right to be here.”
In the first half of 2023 alone, the current government set a record for the most housing estates brought to construction in a single year. It has enabled the establishment of a handful of new illegal outposts and is in the process of legalizing existing outposts deep in the West Bank, while at the same time banning Palestinians from building homes in areas under Israeli civilian control.
The comments suggested that Biden does not fully buy into Netanyahu’s insistence that he is in control of his coalition and that his far-right partners are accountable to him – and not vice versa.
Biden added that the Palestinian Authority “has lost its credibility,” but not just because of Israel. This has created a “vacuum for extremism” among the Palestinians. “There are some very extreme elements,” he said.
The president said his administration is in regular contact with Israel and is “trying to contain what is happening.”
Palestinian gunmen fired on Israeli armored vehicles in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on July 3, 2023. (Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)
Quickly addressing the crisis surrounding the Israeli government’s judiciary reform efforts, he said, “Hopefully, Bibi will continue to use moderation in changing the court.”
Regarding a possible normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Biden said: “We are still a long way from it. We have a lot to talk about.”
“We are making progress in the region, [but a normalization deal] “Depends on behavior and what is required of us to make them recognize Israel,” the president said.
“Honestly, I don’t think they have a big problem with Israel,” he noted.
“Whether we would provide a means for that or not [Saudi Arabia] could have civilian nuclear power [and whether the US could] to be a guarantor of their safety — that’s… a bit far,” Biden said.