Palestinian Authority (PA) officials have expressed displeasure over United States President Joe Biden’s comments that a two-state solution is unlikely in the near future.
A PA minister and ambassador told the Times of Israel on Thursday that Biden’s statements further complicate efforts to revive stalled peace negotiations. “This is not the kind of statement we want to hear from President Biden, especially on the eve of his meeting with our president,” the minister said.
Calling Biden’s remarks “self-defeating,” the official said that his remarks mark a departure from the long-standing US policy of firm support for a two-state solution. “This is a deterioration of the status quo,” he added.
The ambassador noted that the US President’s comments were an indication of how Washington has distanced itself from the Palestinian cause. He argued that Biden’s policy focused on economic issues and not political ones.
Msg to Pres. Biden visiting Israel/Palestine: when you give one side unconditional love & the other side gets crumbs, w/ conditions - you’re fueling hardliners on both sides. If you believe in the equal worth of both peoples - please show it. Stop Israeli abuses of human rights
— James J. Zogby (@jjz1600) July 14, 2022
The envoy said that the US’ main agenda during Biden’s visit is to make 4G networks accessible in the West Bank. “The fact that this is the central item of their package is indicative of how they see this issue,” he added.
Biden said on Thursday that while he would continue to support Palestine, he is sceptical about the feasibility of a two-state solution.
The PA also expressed scepticism about the actual implementation of Biden’s plan to enable 4G in the West Bank. PA Communications Minister Ishaq Sidr said that the US had not informed the PA about the move and that he is not very hopeful about the announcement.
“I’ve been [a] minister for over three years, and all we’ve heard is that 4G is going to happen,” Sidr said, adding, “All we hear are promises. We need to see something on the ground.”
Biden meets Abbas pic.twitter.com/K5EM8GzbFX
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) July 15, 2022
Several Palestinian factions have also criticised Biden for signing a joint strategic agreement with Israel and called on PA President Mahmoud Abbas to cancel his meeting with his American counterpart. A senior Palestinian official told the Jerusalem Post on Thursday that the agreement reflected Washington’s “bias” towards Israel.
“This declaration proves that the Palestinian issue is not at the top of the Biden administration’s list of priorities,” he said. He further noted, “It also shows that the US administration is more interested in strengthening Israel’s security and promoting normalisation with the Arab countries at the expense of the Palestinians.”
Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday inked a landmark strategic partnership that reaffirmed the “unshakable bonds” between the two countries. Biden also emphasised that the US would ensure that Israel maintains its “qualitative military edge” in the Middle East and vowed to “strengthen Israel’s capabilities to deter its enemies.”
In addition, he pledged that the US will “never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon” and that Washington is “prepared to use all elements of its national power to ensure that outcome.” The statement also affirms the US’ commitment to work with Israel to confront “Iran’s aggression,” including through proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
This morning I sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Lapid to sign a new strategic U.S.-Israel partnership based on a bedrock of shared values, our commitment to preserve and strengthen Israel's defense capabilities, and a true and enduring friendship. pic.twitter.com/Sk2T1GkzgZ
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 14, 2022
The statement also mentions that the US will continue to assist the PA economically and remains committed to a two-state solution, stating, “The United States stands ready to work with Israel, the PA, and regional stakeholders toward that goal.”
According to the latest reports, Biden has arrived in Bethlehem and has begun his meeting with PA President Abbas. The US President will announce a $316 million economic package “to support the Palestinian people.” The funding will be provided for improved healthcare access, bolstering the digital economy, supporting refugees, and ensuring food security.
New video received from Ramallah: Palestinians burn portraits of President Joe Biden, rejecting his visit to the region.
— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) July 14, 2022
"Your strategic allies, Biden, are the ones who killed [journalist] Shireen" Abu Akleh, I'm told one of the signs says.
"Biden is not welcomed in Palestine!" pic.twitter.com/gV0IXrrBT6
However, a senior PA official told Haaretz that Abbas is not pleased that Biden signed a strategic agreement with Israel, and to express his displeasure will not give a joint statement with Biden. “Those who strive for a two-state solution should act on the ground and strengthen the Palestinian Authority in practice, and not with a vague statement,” the official added.
Moreover, Gazan militant group Hamas condemned Biden for signing an agreement with Israel. “Attempts by the US administration to re-design the region in order to integrate the occupying entity [Israel] in the region [...] are doomed to failure,” Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said on Thursday.
Biden visited Israel on Thursday for the first time since he assumed office and met with top Israeli officials, including PM Lapid, President Herzog, and Defence Minister Benny Gantz. He had reiterated that the US will continue to protect Israel against Iranian aggression and vowed to prevent Iran from manufacturing a nuclear bomb, including through the use of force if necessary.
Later today, Biden will travel from Jerusalem to Riyadh to meet Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He is expected to discuss the Iran nuclear deal, normalising Saudi-Israel ties, and establishing a regional air defence system to prevent aerial threats and attacks.