Disagreement is not unexpected

Recent statements from the US President and the Israeli Prime Minister reveal differing viewpoints on the current conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City. (Source: Getty)

On December 12, speaking to Democratic donors in Washington, US President Joe Biden called the Israeli government "the most conservative government in Israeli history," urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change his approach.

The White House warned that support for Israel's military campaign was weakening amid the heavy devastation in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, President Joe Biden added that Israel "does not want a two-state solution." According to him, while Israel still "has the support of most of the world," "that support is gradually eroding: due to the widespread bombings."

Speaking just hours before Joe Biden's announcement, Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged disagreements with the US President regarding the post-conflict Gaza Strip. However, he expressed hope that "we will reach an agreement on this issue."

These comments are considered two of the most blunt remarks to date addressing the persistent differences between Israel and the United States. Even before the conflict erupted following the Hamas attack on October 7th, President Joe Biden had been outspoken in his criticism of Netanyahu's ruling coalition, which includes far-right parties. However, for much of the time since the conflict began, Biden has publicly stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Benjamin Netanyahu, despite growing public debate about Israel's campaign.

Meanwhile, in an interview with CNN last month, Prime Minister Netanyahu said he had considered “some form of Palestinian civilian government,” albeit a “reconstruction.” However, on December 12, he stated: “I want to make my position clear: I will not allow Israel to repeat the mistake of Oslo,” and declared: “Gaza will not belong to Hamas or Fatah.”

The "Oslo" that Netanyahu referred to is the 1993 Oslo Accords, an agreement between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabbin and Palestinian President Yasser, brokered and signed at Camp David (USA) under the mediation of then-President Bill Clinton. The agreement helped form the Palestinian Authority (PA), which gained partial control over the West Bank and Gaza.

At the same time, Netanyahu's statement alluded not only to Hamas but also to Fatah. This is the largest political force in Palestine, playing a crucial role in promoting and signing the Oslo Accords and controlling the PA for three decades afterward. However, the PA was driven out of Gaza by Hamas after the 2007 elections.

Thus, Israel does not want to hand over control of the Gaza Strip to Hamas or the Fatah-controlled PA. Meanwhile, Washington has declared its rejection of any proposal that includes Israeli control of Gaza and warned against narrowing the Palestinian territorial boundaries. At the same time, the US has left open the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state, with the PA continuing to administer the Gaza Strip after the conflict ends.

Perhaps the current state of US-Israel relations is reflected, to some extent, in President Biden's remarks at the White House reception on December 11th, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Recalling his 51-year relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the US President recounted a line he had written on an old photograph of the two of them, affectionately calling the Israeli leader by the nickname "Bibi."

He said, "I wrote at the top of the photo: 'Bibi, I really appreciate you, but I completely disagree with what you just said.' And it's still the same today."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/xung-dot-tai-dai-gaza-bat-dong-khong-bat-ngo-253850.html