Israeli PM tells U.S. he opposes a two-state solution in postwar Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has informed the United States that he opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of any postwar scenario, underscoring the deep divisions between the close allies three months into Israel's assault on Gaza that aims to eliminate the territory's Hamas rulers.

The U.S. has called on Israel to scale back its offensive and said that the establishment of a Palestinian state should be part of the "day after."

But in a nationally broadcast news conference, Netanyahu vowed to press ahead with the offensive until Israel realizes a "decisive victory over Hamas." He also rejected the idea of Palestinian statehood.

Netanyahu, who leads a far-right government opposed to Palestinian statehood, repeated his longstanding opposition to a two-state solution. He said a Palestinian state would become a launching pad for attacks on Israel.

He said Israel "must have security control over the entire territory west of the Jordan River," adding: That collides with the idea of sovereignty. What can we do?"

"This truth I tell to our American friends, and I put the brakes on the attempt to coerce us to a reality that would endanger the state of Israel," he said.

Netanyahu said he had relayed his positions to the Americans.

"The prime minister needs to be capable of saying no to our friends," he added.

Israel launched the offensive after an unprecedented cross-border attack led by Hamas on Oct. 7 that killed approximately 1,200 people, according to the Israeli government, while militants took some 250 others hostage in Gaza.

Roughly 130 hostages are believed by Israel to remain in captivity.

Israel's assault, one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history, has killed nearly 25,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, caused widespread destruction and uprooted over 80 per cent of the territory's 2.3 million people from their homes.

WATCH | Trudeau affirms Canada's stance on 2-state solution:

‘Canada remains deeply committed towards a two-state solution’ in Gaza, says Trudeau

10 months ago

Duration 1:10

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is ‘not surprised’ by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent comments on Palestinian statehood. Earlier on Thursday, Netanyahu said he has informed the U.S. that he opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of any post-war scenario.

U.S. stands behind two-state solution

The comments prompted an immediate rebuke from the White House. Spokesperson John Kirby said that President Joe Biden would "not stop working" toward a two-state solution and that it was in the best interest of Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region. 

"The focus right now is making sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas and that humanitarian aid and assistance continue to get to the desperate people of Gaza," Kirby said during an informal briefing with reporters  aboard Air Force One. 

"But there's going to be a post-conflict Gaza," he said, telling reporters the U.S. has been clear that Israel should not reoccupy the territory and that the Biden administration supports governance that "represents the aspirations of the Palestinian people."

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said there is "no way" to solve Israel's long-term security challenges in the region and the short-term challenges of rebuilding Gaza without the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Speaking at a news briefing, Miller said Israel had an opportunity right now as countries in the region were ready to provide security assurances to Israel.

"But there is no way to solve their long-term challenges to provide lasting security and there is no way to solve the short-term challenges of rebuilding Gaza and establishing governance in Gaza and providing security for Gaza without the establishment of a Palestinian state."

The U.S. has said the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, which governs semi-autonomous zones in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, should be "revitalized" and return to Gaza.

Hamas ousted the authority from Gaza in 2007. The U.S. has also called for steps toward the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Palestinians seek Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem for their state.

Those areas were captured by Israel in 1967.

The U.S. is Israel's largest supplier of weapons and has been supportive of its war against Hamas. But Biden, speaking in unusually strong language last month, warned Israel risks losing global support because of its "indiscriminate bombing'' of Gaza. 

The staggering cost of the war has led to increasing calls from the international community to halt the offensive.

Israel is facing accusations, in a case South Africa brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week, that its military operations in Gaza are "genocidal in character" and intended to bring about the destruction of Palestinians — allegations Israel rejected as "grossly distorted." 

South Africa is seeking provisional measures to prevent further harm to civilians in Gaza.

LISTEN | Explaining South Africa's genocide case against Israel:

Front Burner26:58Israel faces genocide case at UN’s top court

In hearings at the International Court of Justice last week, South Africa accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. A potential final ruling at the court could take years, but within weeks, judges could order Israel to stop its military operations So what's behind South Africa’s argument? Why is Israel saying the case should be dismissed? And in a court without a mechanism to enforce orders, why would a ruling really matter? Canadian academic William Schabas, a professor of international law at Middlesex University recognized with the Order of Canada as a foremost authority on genocide, explains. For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.