Demands for Two-State Solution Grow Louder
In the Middle East conflict, many countries are increasingly pushing for a two-state solution. EU Chief Diplomat Borrell presented a strategy for this before the meeting of EU foreign ministers. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas reject such a solution.
Several states have expressed support for a two-state solution to end the war in the Middle East. EU Chief Diplomat Josep Borrell presented a possible strategy for this. “We need to stop talking about the peace process and start talking more specifically about the two-state solution process,” the Spaniard said at a meeting of EU foreign ministers with colleagues from the Middle East. He acknowledged that this is a difficult issue, but stressed the moral obligation to do everything possible to find a solution.
Borrell did not provide details of his concept, but it was intended to serve as a basis for discussions. The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Abul Gheit, as well as the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, were expected to participate in the talks in Brussels. Separate discussions were also planned with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz and the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Riad Malki.
According to Borrell, it is especially important to examine the current obstacles preventing the implementation of a two-state solution. “Hamas is one of them – an important one – but there are others,” he said, referring to resistance within Israel. In the EU, a two-state solution is understood as Israel and an independent, democratic Palestinian state living peacefully side by side. Regarding the current Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, he said that peace and stability cannot be achieved by military means alone.
Baerbock supports the two-state solution
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also called the two-state solution “the only solution” to the conflict. “There can only be peace if there is peace for all people in the region,” she said. Therefore, it is central for the German government to do everything possible to pursue a two-state solution, even though the situation currently appears “more than hopeless.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects an independent Palestinian state. Baerbock criticized Netanyahu without naming him directly. “Even those who don’t want to hear it have not brought any other alternative so far,” she said in Brussels. Baerbock pointed out that Israel now allows flour deliveries to the Gaza Strip through its port of Ashdod, according to US reports. This is a small step towards alleviating the humanitarian situation. “A tiny step towards a two-state solution, but these are the small steps that are needed now,” she added.
In addition to Germany and the EU, both the United Kingdom and the United States are pushing for the creation of an independent Palestinian state. However, Netanyahu rejected US President Joe Biden’s statement that a two-state solution is achievable with him as prime minister after the Gaza war. “I will not compromise when it comes to full Israeli security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River – and that contradicts a Palestinian state,” Netanyahu wrote on the X platform.
Saudi Arabia demands a Palestinian state
Calls for a two-state solution were also heard from Saudi Arabia. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan described the prospect of a Palestinian state as a prerequisite for normal relations between his country and Israel. As long as there is no credible path to this goal, Saudi Arabia will not participate in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, Bin Farhan said in an interview with US television network CNN.
His country rejects a return to the pre-war status quo. Bin Farhan contradicted Netanyahu, who rejects a Palestinian state but is also seeking reconciliation with Saudi Arabia. According to Netanyahu, before the start of the war, Israel and Saudi Arabia were on the verge of a US-mediated agreement to normalize their relations. The agreement also included a civil nuclear program in Saudi Arabia and US security guarantees.