Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a de facto embrace of the American plan to recognize a Palestinian state in exchange for a historic breakthrough vis-à-vis Saudi Arabia, Israel Hayom has learned.
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According to the emerging plan, the Biden administration will unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state. Israel will voice opposition and make it clear that an agreement that includes a Palestinian state will only be discussed through direct negotiations. By accepting the American move, Israel hopes to bring about a historic political breakthrough with Saudi Arabia a knowledgeable diplomatic source told Israel Hayom.
On Thursday, the Washington Post reported that the Biden administration intends to formally recognize a Palestinian state within a few weeks. This elicited harsh criticism from many cabinet ministers who argued that creating such an entity would jeopardize Israel's security after the October 7 attack.
Netanyahu only issued a tepid rejection, and rather belatedly, and only on Thursday night.
On Saturday Netanyahu reiterated the remarks in a press briefing and said that "Israel flatly rejects international dictates regarding a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians. Such an arrangement will only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions."
Netanyahu also said, "Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Such recognition, following the massacre of October 7, will grant an enormous prize to unprecedented terror and prevent any future peace settlement."
A diplomatic source told Israel Hayom that the delay in Netanyahu's response and the restrained language reflects an implicit understanding currently being in the works, under which the Biden administration under which Netanyahu could indeed express opposition to unilateral recognition, but will agree to negotiations on a future settlement without preconditions.
By taking such a de facto stance that is in line with the US, Netanyahu hopes the Americans will be able to convince the Saudis that Israel has taken significant steps to further the Palestinian cause. The reward for this will be Riyadh agreeing to a historic recognition of Israel.
Netanyahu has not yet made a final decision, but it is being seriously considered by him and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer who has been spearheading the talks with the Americans.
Israel has long opposed the idea of having Western countries unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state. The assumption in Jerusalem is that such recognition would be a prize and would serve as a disincentive for the Palestinians to negotiate with Israel, as this would imply that the international community is extracting Israeli concessions unilaterally.
A diplomatic source said that if the American move goes ahead, it will deal a severe political blow. The source estimated that many Western countries will follow Washington and recognize a Palestinian state. However, the wording of the recognition is very important: whether it defines its territory and capital, who controls its security space, and other aspects.
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