Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid In his speech to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, he will express his support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, senior Israeli officials said.
Why it matters: It will be the first time Lapid has publicly supported a two-state solution as prime minister. Israeli officials stressed that Lapid will make it clear that the establishment of a Palestinian state must have safeguards for Israel.
- It is also the first time since 2017 that an Israeli prime minister has publicly advocated a two-state solution.
- Flashback: Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support for the two-state solution in a speech in May 2009. He reiterated his support several times, including at the United Nations, but backed down and did not express clear support for a Palestinian state after former President Trump took office in 2017.
What you say: The Israeli official said Lapid decided to make his position on the two-state solution clear ahead of the Nov. 1 election because he believes it’s “part of the honesty that’s needed from politicians… to say what for.” they stand and go what the country needs.”
- “Separation from the Palestinians must be part of Israel’s political vision,” said a senior Israeli official.
Yes but: The Israeli official said Lapid currently has no plans to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and he does not see peace talks resuming in the near future.
- “If Lapid thought that meeting Abbas now would be effective, he would have done it,” the Israeli official said.
Something to see: Abbas is expected to deliver a fiery speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday, expressing his frustration at the stalling Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
- Given the weakening of Abbas’ domestic political position, his UN speech is a rare opportunity to protest the current situation. It will likely include harsh criticism of Israel.
- Abbas had threatened to use his speech to call for a Security Council vote on Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations, but US officials say he is unlikely to heed pressure from the Biden administration and countries like Jordan and Egypt.
Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia and the EU’s foreign policy chief will convene a closed meeting with officials from 25 countries on Wednesday to discuss ways to revitalize the Arab peace initiative.
- US and Palestinian representatives will attend. Israel was not invited.
- The 2002 initiative promised the full normalization of relations between the Arab countries and Israel in return for the establishment of a Palestinian state. But the initiative’s relevance is now in question after four Arab countries normalized ties with Israel through the Abraham Accords before Palestinian statehood.
