Maariv: Israel fears US recognition of a Palestinian state

Maariv newspaper reported on Friday that Israel fears US recognition of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Maariv newspaper said, “Political sources in Israel express their concern about the intense activity of the US administration to promote the idea of ​​establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip under a unified government based on what is known as a renewed Palestinian authority”.

Maariv added, “According to US officials, the State Department is considering recognizing a Palestinian state as part of a comprehensive political initiative related to the day after Hamas rules the Gaza Strip”.

The Israeli newspaper described such a step, if it were to take place, as a “political tsunami”.

To this day, successive US administrations refuse to recognize a Palestinian state, linking this to the Palestinians and Israelis reaching an agreement regarding the state.

Washington also opposed Palestine obtaining full membership in the United Nations by thwarting Palestinian requests for membership through the UN Security Council, most recently in 2011.

However, Israel has begun to notice that President Joe Biden’s administration is seriously considering recognizing a Palestinian state even without Israel’s approval.

Maariv also pointed out, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently ordered his office staff to prepare organized work for the possibility of US or international recognition of a Palestinian state unilaterally and not through negotiations with Israel or with Israeli approval.

This issue was raised during the talks that Blinken held with Israeli officials during his visit to Israel in the past two days.

In light of the information received from the US administration and European countries that are also partners in the step, senior officials in Israel express their concern about what they describe as the Biden administration’s fascination with the idea of ​​establishing a Palestinian state and recognizing it unilaterally as a means of putting pressure on Israel.

Maariv quoted unnamed Israeli political sources, “This issue has recently occupied a place in the political agenda for the Middle East promoted by the Americans and Europeans”.

The sources added, “It’s no longer a matter of blowing up experimental balloons or a theoretical idea… The idea of ​​recognizing a Palestinian state is gaining momentum and is being promoted on the ground”.

Maariv continued, “It’s not a coincidence that a series of Western leaders recently announced their support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, and this includes leaders who were considered right-wing and most supportive of Israel, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni”.

Maariv newspaper quoted an unnamed Israeli official, “The Americans continue to promote the idea of ​​a renewed Palestinian Authority… At the same time, the current authority in Ramallah is in the process of introducing reform, and this is consistent with the United States’ demand to prove that it has already become a body that meets the definition of a renewed authority”.

The official added, “Palestinian reform includes changes within the government, changing the nature of the management of the security services, and there is talk of a new professional technocratic government”.

It’s noteworthy that British Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated a few days ago that his country can officially recognize a Palestinian state after the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip without waiting for the outcome of talks that may continue for years between Israel and the Palestinians regarding the two-state solution.

At the end of last January, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that his country seeks to establish an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel.

Miller added that President Biden believes this is the best way to ensure peace and security for Israel, the Palestinians, and the region as a whole.