The Biden administration has been under pressure, as reported in the media for some time, to bring an end to military operations, facilitate humanitarian aid, and address the post-war governance of Gaza, especially considering the lack of positive response from the Netanyahu government. Reports suggested that Netanyahu’s government did not respond positively to these requests, and there were indications that Washington’s patience was wearing thin. The latest news, where Biden reportedly told Netanyahu that the ultimate solution is a two-state resolution, was quickly countered by Netanyahu stating that this possibility is not on the table, creating a significant setback for Washington. With these statements, Netanyahu not only declared the obvious but also made it clear that under his leadership, there would be no genuine peace process, embarrassing the American President, his biggest supporter, in the eyes of the public.
In this situation, Biden faces a dilemma: either continue supporting Israel, trying to appease Netanyahu by acting as if nothing happened, or play the game of Netanyahu’s potential loss of power to pave the way for a new peace process.
Since October 7, President Biden has demonstrated a performance detached from the pragmatism of the American state mind. Immediately after the attack on Israel, Biden flew to Tel Aviv, not only embracing Netanyahu but also providing diplomatic protection along with weapons and financial aid. With an administration that did not even raise concerns about the use of American weapons in Gaza or activate diplomatic mechanisms against the possibility of human rights violations, Biden allowed critical weapon shipments for Israel’s Gaza operations. Despite warnings from the Defense Minister about Israel facing a strategic defeat, Biden refrained from pressuring Netanyahu and showed little concern about the complete isolation of the U.S. at the UN.
DID YOU SAY TWO-STATE SOLUTION?
As some European states began to exert serious pressure and Israel, accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, continued to ignore the advice of the American President, it progressed confidently, assured of continued American protection. Netanyahu has even begun to present himself as the only leader who can resist American pressure for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Biden, who has known for years that a two-state solution is the state policy but has refrained from exerting the necessary pressure, now faces a critical crossroads. The continuation of the two-state solution policy is impossible with any government under Netanyahu’s leadership. America must either give up this policy or Netanyahu, but there is no political will to make such a clear decision. Making such a ‘bold’ decision during Biden’s election year would mean taking a significant risk. Taking this risk might help him in the November elections, but expecting Biden to overcome his ideological fixation on supporting Israel is overly optimistic. Despite Biden’s open support, Netanyahu’s clear position against the establishment of a Palestinian state is also influenced by the possibility of Trump returning to power. The fact that Trump, with the support of American Evangelicals, appears to be neck and neck or even winning against Biden in polls is considered a significant factor in Netanyahu’s resistance to Biden’s pressure.
Netanyahu, a skilled politician in manipulating American politics for his own political career, appears to have planned well for the election year. Even though Biden did not pressure Netanyahu openly, he resisted even the mild suggestions of Biden, who did not want to give up his support for Israel. Netanyahu seems to be trying to develop a new policy based on his ‘honesty’ about not allowing the establishment of a Palestinian state, even though it goes against America, the Middle East, and Europe. Netanyahu positions himself as the only brave leader resisting the pressure for a two-state solution, with no concern for the political, military, and diplomatic support he receives from America. Therefore, it is not possible for Biden to convince Netanyahu to adopt a two-state solution by trying to please him. Biden needs to abandon his efforts to persuade Netanyahu and develop a new game plan with the determination to engage in an open confrontation, but it seems he lacks both the political courage and energy for such a move.
