The deep differences in opinion between the United States and Israel over the post-war period in the Gaza Strip and the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state, the only guarantor of Israel’s security in the long term in Washington’s eyes, came to light again Thursday.
When asked about statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby responded, “It is clear that we see things differently.”
Netanyahu had said, “Israel must have security control over the entire territory west of the Jordan River.” This is a necessary condition that contradicts the idea of (Palestinian) sovereignty,” he said, explaining that he said this directly to the Americans.
“The Israeli prime minister must be able to say no, even to our best friends, to say no when it is necessary, and to say yes if it is possible,” Netanyahu added.
These differences between Washington and Israel are not new, but they are emerging again at a time when the United States is exerting great pressure on its ally regarding the conduct of the war in Gaza and the post-Israeli war on Gaza, which began on October 7.
On Wednesday at the Davos Economic Forum, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken repeated his call to find “a path towards a Palestinian state,” considering that “without that, it will be impossible to obtain real security.”
During his visit to the Middle East last week, Blinken informed the Israeli authorities that Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, had expressed their “commitment” to help, especially in the reconstruction of Gaza, on the condition that Israel charts a concrete path towards establishing a Palestinian state.
Washington also urges Israel to help the Palestinian Authority instead of hindering it, an authority that cannot work effectively without this “support,” according to Blinken.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, “Israel has a historic opportunity to address the challenges it has faced since its founding, and we hope that the country will seize this opportunity,” noting that “Israel will face very difficult choices in the coming months.”
In this tense context, there has been no direct exchange between US President Joe Biden and the Israeli Prime Minister for several weeks.
The death toll from the Israeli aggression on Gaza has risen to 24,448 martyrs and 61,504 injuries since October 7, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
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