US President Joe Biden has made a strong call for peace amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing the need for safety, dignity, and peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. He underscored that a two-state solution is the key to resolving the long-standing conflict.
Taking to the social media platform X, President Biden conveyed his message, stating, “Even though it’s incredibly challenging, we must not abandon the pursuit of peace. We must continue to work towards a two-state solution.” He also expressed the importance of Israel and Ukraine’s success for national security, drawing from history to highlight the consequences of inaction against terrorists and dictators.
As hard as it is, we cannot give up on peace.
We cannot give up on a two-state solution. pic.twitter.com/tDLlmavzJB
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 21, 2023
On October 20, President Biden suggested that the recent attack by Hamas on Israel may have been influenced by concerns about Israel’s normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia. He made this observation during a campaign fundraiser, indicating that his planned meeting with Saudi officials might have triggered the Hamas assault on Israel, which occurred on October 7.
The President noted that the Saudi government had been moving toward recognizing Israel, and this development might have been a factor motivating Hamas to act. In September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a meeting with President Biden on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, expressed optimism about the potential for a historic peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The effort to normalize relations was initiated in September at the Group of 20 summit held in India, with discussions centered on a shipping corridor collaboration. Saudi Arabia had been advocating for the protection of Palestinian rights as part of a comprehensive agreement with Israel. The success of such an agreement could potentially lead to increased recognition of Israel by other Arab and Muslim-majority nations. Historically, many Muslim-majority countries have opposed Israel since its creation in a region where Palestinians have long resided.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also suggested that the leadership of Hamas may have been driven by a desire to obstruct diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Pope Francis has also joined in appealing for peace and expressed deep concern about the dire situation in Gaza. He has called for efforts to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
President Biden has consistently expressed strong support for Israel following the attack by Hamas on October 7. The Israeli military’s response has amplified the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, posing a significant threat to the escalation of the conflict. Casualties on both sides have been substantial, with over 1,400 Israelis and 4,137 Palestinians killed. Additionally, following the initial attack, Hamas took more than 200 individuals as hostages.