The New York Times: Two states for two peoples is the solution to the Palestinian issue
Thomas Friedman wrote on the New Yok Times, sending a letter to Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, urging him to distance himself from the slogan of “globalizing the intifada” and offer an alternative, “two states for two peoples,” as the only just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In his article, Friedman, known for his liberal leanings and defense of Israel, addressed Mamdani, saying, “I watched you struggle to explain to pro-Israel New Yorkers that your defense of the phrase ‘globalization of the intifada’ is neither anti-Semitic nor aimed at eliminating the Jewish state, and that you will stop using this phrase on the grounds that it carries different connotations depending on the context”.
Friedman described Mamdani as having been caught up in the issue, caught up in both supporters and critics, and offered him two pieces of advice that have guided him over four decades of dealing with the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Friedman added that many Americans still support the two-state solution, along with many Israelis, Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, and Jews in New York who would also support it if the war on Gaza ended.
In this regard, Friedman said that the world doesn’t need the mayor of New York City to be another commentator on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but rather leaders willing to coordinate the efforts of those seeking a just solution to the Palestinian issue.
Friedman urged Mamdani to explain to voters how he would use his position as mayor of New York City to bring together Israelis, Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, and Jews who aspire to build two states for two peoples in Israel and Palestine.
Friedman cited examples of Palestinian and Israeli political and military figures working hard to support the two-state solution, as well as regional organizations in the region, Israel, and the United States, all of whom are working in one way or another to implement the two-state solution.
Friedman concluded his letter by saying that a New York mayoral candidate’s advocacy of a “meaningless slogan that benefits no one” raises the question: How will this candidate address the thorny issues on the West Bank of the East River (Manhattan) that concern most New York voters?
