Watan-In a special interview with Time magazine on Tuesday, Biden was asked whether he believed in the validity of Israeli hints suggesting that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for his political interests. He replied, “There are good reasons for people to come to that conclusion.”
The interview was conducted on May 28, a few days before Biden announced a detailed proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. Its publication coincides with Netanyahu facing deep political divisions at home.
Biden, who is currently pushing for an end to the nearly 8-month-long war after previously supporting its continuation, stated that it could not be confirmed whether Israeli forces had committed war crimes in Gaza.
Biden pointed to the political challenges Netanyahu faced before the war on Gaza began on October 7, 2023, regarding constitutional changes and imposing judicial reforms.
He added, “That is an internal debate with no outcome, and it is difficult to say whether Netanyahu will change his position on those reforms or not.”
Regarding the Gaza war, Biden said his main disagreement with Netanyahu is about what will happen after the war ends. Will Israeli forces return to the sector?
He explained that he spoke with officials in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the UAE about this, saying, “If it means Israeli forces returning to the Gaza Strip, that cannot succeed.”
He emphasized the necessity of transitioning to a two-state solution (Palestinian and Israeli). Biden added, “I believe there is a clear path to transition, where Arab countries will provide security and reconstruction in Gaza in exchange for a long-term commitment to moving towards a two-state solution.”
In response to a question about the possibility of Israeli forces committing war crimes in Gaza, Biden claimed that it is uncertain whether that has occurred and that it has been investigated by the Israelis themselves.
Weeks ago, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan requested the issuance of international arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for their responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Regarding this, Biden said, “We do not recognize the International Criminal Court,” adding, “One thing is certain: the Palestinians in Gaza are suffering greatly due to the lack of food, water, and medicine, and many innocents have been killed.”
The Israeli war on Gaza has left more than 119,000 Palestinian martyrs and wounded, most of them children and women, and about 10,000 missing amid massive destruction and famine that has claimed the lives of children and the elderly.
Israel continues this war, ignoring a Security Council resolution demanding an immediate halt to the fighting and orders from the Court of Justice demanding it stop its attack on Rafah, take immediate measures to prevent genocide, and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.