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aThu, Jan 18, 2024 04:38:00 +0100 b18.01.2024 04:38 c
Update: January 18, 2024, 4:38 a.m. Issued: January 18, 2024, 4:38 a.m
Illustrative Photo – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference at the Kirja military base in Tel Aviv on December 31, 2023. AP/Abir Sultan
Washington – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected an American proposal that would normalize Israel’s relations with Saudi Arabia in exchange for gradual progress toward the establishment of a Palestinian state. Written by NBC News, it points to growing disagreements between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden’s government, which is already preparing for the aftermath of the current Israeli leader’s departure.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken received several commitments during talks with Saudi Arabia and four other Arab countries last week, according to a report citing senior US government officials. The countries stand ready to help rebuild the Gaza Strip, which was devastated by Israel’s current war against the Palestinian radical and terrorist movement Hamas, and are also ready to support a reformed Palestinian government in Gaza.
In addition, Saudi Arabia offered to normalize relations with Israel, which had already begun before the war, in return for Tel Aviv gradually establishing a Palestinian state. But Netanyahu rejected this, saying he was unwilling to reach an agreement that would allow the creation of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu, whose government is partly right-wing, recently said he was proud to have prevented the creation of a Palestinian state.
According to the ideas of the Palestinian leadership, the Palestinian state should be established in the Gaza Strip, in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied for decades in violation of international law, and also in East Jerusalem, which was annexed by Israel.
Because of Netanyahu’s opposition to American plans, Washington is already starting to think about the aftermath of this long-time Israeli prime minister, during whose reign Israel became the target of the worst terrorist attack in its history last October 7, according to NBC News. Hamas and other Palestinian militants killed 1,200 people and kidnapped another 240.
In retaliation, Israel destroyed large parts of the Gaza Strip and forced most of the 2.3 million Palestinians to flee their homes. Around 24,000 lost their lives.
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