US President Joe Biden on Friday pledged to help organize efforts to rebuild Gaza and said creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel is the “only answer” to the conflict.
Biden also said he had told the Israelis to stop “intercommunal fighting” in the flashpoint city of Jerusalem.
However he stressed “there is no shift in my commitment, commitment to the security of Israel” and added that until the region “unequivocally” acknowledges Israel’s existence “there will be no peace.”
US policy under Donald Trump was criticized as being blatantly pro-Israel and ignoring the Palestinians.
A Mideast peace plan devised by Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner was billed as providing for a two-state solution. But that blueprint envisioned a Palestinian state with only limited sovereignty and Israel maintaining security over that state.
The plan was rejected out of hand by Palestinian leaders. Biden on Friday insisted on a full-blown two-state remedy.
Biden said his administration is going to make sure that the US is going to provide for security in the West Bank.
We renewed the security commitment, as well as economic commitment to the people on the West Bank, he said.
In his call with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden said he indicated to the Israelis it was very important that they stop in Jerusalem this inter communal fighting that is by extremes on both sides.
It has to end. I’m prepared to put together and attempt to put together a major package with other nations who share our view to rebuild the homes and without providing Hamas the opportunity to rebuild their weapons systems, rebuild the Gaza. They need to help, and I’m committed to get that done, he said.
