The American President, Joe Biden, spoke this Thursday, February 15 in the evening with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The two allies are increasingly displaying their differences. While the United States wants to relaunch a process leading to the creation of a Palestinian state, Benyamin Netanyahu declared following this conversation that he rejected “ international dictates on a final settlement with the Palestinians “.
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With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Guilhem Delteil
Joe Biden reiterated his opposition to an Israeli operation in the city of Rafah without a solution for the 1.3 million civilians who took refuge there. And the two leaders also discussed negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian Hamas. The American president said he worked “ tirelessly » to an agreement. But Benyamin Netanyahu has, in recent days, displayed a firm position, showing little inclination to concessions.
On Wednesday April 14, Benyamin Netanyahu instructed Israeli negotiators not to return to Cairo to continue discussions with the mediators. The exchanges had however resumed the day before, but the Israeli Prime Minister considers that Hamas’ demands are “ delusional » and he believes that military pressure will push the ruling Islamist movement in Gaza into concessions.
But this position was strongly denounced by the Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons. He believes that the government is abandoning the Israelis held captive in Gaza and asks it to continue negotiations until an agreement is reached. This Thursday, February 15, relatives of hostages blocked one of the entrances to the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv. And the organization is calling for a large rally of support Saturday evening.
Despite the firmness displayed by Benyamin Netanyahu, the mediators still hope to reach an agreement before the start of Ramadan, in a little over three weeks. The Israeli Prime Minister received the head of the CIA this Thursday evening. It is he who leads the discussions on behalf of the United States. Benyamin Netanyahu has not completely closed the door to discussions.
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