Biden: Only two-state solution will guarantee Israel’s security

The Times of Israel, March 8, 2024

Event

The U.S. and Israel stand at a diplomatic and military crossroads. Israel says it needs to finish the war against Hamas in the key Gazan city of Rafah, yet the U.S. is threatening that Israel won’t be able to use American weapons if Israel launches its military campaign against the Hamas stronghold.
On the northern border, Hezbollah continues to fire rocket volleys on Israeli communities. In his State of the Union address, President Biden put the burden on Israel to protect Gazans.

“Israel has an added burden because Hamas hides and operates among the civilian population like cowards under hospitals, daycare centers, and all the like. Israel also has a fundamental responsibility, though, to protect innocent civilians in Gaza,”

Biden declared. He added what he says is the solution:

“As we look to the future, the only real solution to the situation is a two-state solution (between Israel and the Palestinians) over time.”

Comment

Turmoil in the Middle East poses a risk to President Joe Biden’s re-election bid and might help Trump into office again. The conflict between Israel and Hamas is impacting politics around the world.

In the UK there has been a recent byelection that has seen an ultra antisemitic candidate have a landslide win. Such was the shock, the prime minister delivered a speech condemning the vote in front of No10. All this is causing nations to rethink their support of Israel. There is growing pressure to unliterally declare a two state solution – in other words divide Israel in two and have half the land as a Palestinian State and half for Israel. But it will not bring peace – it will only bring more war.

Joel 3 says that the nations have “parted” or “divided” my land. In the following verses we read of all nations being gathered to Israel to battle – it is coming….

Bible quote

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted [divided] my land. (Joel 3:2)

The nations may well announce a division of the land – but in the next verse God says

“what has Philistia to do with me?”

Weekly World Watch, Andy Walton