Biden says ‘revitalized Palestinian Authority’ should eventually govern Gaza and the West Bank
WILMINGTON, Del.– President Joe Biden says reaching a ceasefire amid Israel’s war with Hamas “is not peace” and that a major key to lasting stability is a reunified Gaza Strip and the West Bank that can be governed under “a new revived Palestinian Authority.”
In an op-ed published Saturday in the Washington Post, Biden reiterated his position in recent weeks that a temporary halt to fighting was not a realistic possibility and would ultimately not advance larger U.S. goals. The president and top U.S. officials have instead revived talks about working toward a two-state solution to Gaza’s governance.
Biden used the op-ed to provide more details about what the process of working toward that larger goal might look like.
“As we pursue peace, Gaza and the West Bank must be reunited under a single governing structure, ultimately under a revived Palestinian Authority, as we all work toward a two-state solution,” Biden wrote. “I have emphasized to Israeli leaders that extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank must stop, and that those who perpetrate the violence must be held accountable.”
He added: “The United States is prepared to take our own steps, including issuing visa bans against extremists who attack civilians in the West Bank.”
The US is providing weapons and intelligence support to Israel as it mounts an offensive in Gaza aimed at wiping out Hamas after the October 7 attack that killed more than 1,200 people. Biden has spoken repeatedly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and says he is working to release hostages held by Hamas, including some Americans.
At least 11,400 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilian and militant deaths.
Protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza have staged protests across the country, including clashes this week with police outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Former campaign staffers who helped elect Biden in 2020, as well as current members of his administration, have signed letters urging a ceasefire. In the op-ed, Biden explained why he opposes the idea.
“As long as Hamas sticks to its ideology of destruction, a ceasefire is not peace,” he wrote. “For Hamas members, each ceasefire is time they use to rebuild their stockpile of rockets, reposition fighters and restart the killing by attacking innocents again.”
Biden also noted that “an outcome that gives Hamas control of Gaza would once again perpetuate Gaza hatred and deprive Palestinian citizens of the opportunity to build something better for themselves.”
The president further argued that pursuing longer-term goals that can rise above the current turmoil would ultimately make the United States more secure.
“We must never forget the lesson we have learned time and time again throughout our history: From great tragedies and turmoil can come tremendous progress,” he wrote. “More hope. More freedom. Less anger. Fewer complaints. Less war. We must not lose our determination to pursue these goals, because right now a clear vision, big ideas and political courage are needed most.”