Yedioth Ahronoth: Biden may call for a Palestinian state before the end of his term
The Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper published an article by Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to the United States, entitled “Biden may call for the establishment of a Palestinian state before Trump succeeds him”.
Although US President Joe Biden is generally considered a friend of Israel, he isn’t a fan of the current government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Oren, who believes that Biden may call on the United Nations to recognize a Palestinian state before the end of his term, in order to have the last laugh at Netanyahu.
Oren recalled an incident in 2016, when he was a member of the Knesset and an official in the Prime Minister’s Office, when then-US President Barack Obama approved a security and military aid package, and three months later the US allowed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2334 condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
He spoke of his warning that Obama had used his final months in office to criticize Israel in the UN Security Council, saying, “He offered us financial support with one hand, then slapped us with the other”.
“Now, as the Biden administration enters its final months, there is a renewed risk of another Security Council resolution, this time with US support, calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state,” according to Oren.
Biden, who portrays himself as a Zionist and a general supporter of Israel throughout the conflict, undoubtedly harbors deep resentment toward the Israeli government and its leader.
Oren pointed out that Biden showed his willingness to impose sanctions on a growing number of Israelis due to their alleged violence against the Palestinians.
“We cannot rule out the possibility that Biden, like Obama before him, will feel compelled to set a political precedent at the UN,” Oren added.
The details are still unclear as to whether the resolution will simply support the establishment of a state, or more importantly, recognize Palestine as a member state of the United Nations.
Oren warned of the consequences that could endanger Israel’s security.
He believed that the Security Council’s recognition of a Palestinian state today would give the Council the authority to declare any Israeli settlement or military base as a violation of its sovereignty, and Israel would face repeated legal challenges in international courts, leading to the imposition of sanctions on Israel’s leaders and citizens.
“Although Biden may end his term as a great friend of Israel, we cannot rule out the possibility that others in his administration will be less tolerant,” Oren concluded, calling for preparing for the worst in the Security Council.
