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At UN, Biden Administration Backs Separate State for Palestinians

Margaret Besheer

   The acting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has reaffirmed the
   Biden administration's commitment to a two-state solution for Israel
   and the Palestinians and said it hopes to "slowly build" shattered
   confidence between the two sides.

   "Under the new administration, the policy of the United States will be
   to support a mutually agreed two-state solution, one in which Israel
   lives in peace and security alongside a viable Palestinian state,"
   Ambassador Richard Mills told a high-level virtual meeting of the
   Security Council on Tuesday.

   While acknowledging that this vision is "under serious stress," he said
   it remains the best solution. And he noted that "peace cannot be
   imposed on either the Israelis or the Palestinians."

   One year ago this week, the Trump administration unveiled its
   much-anticipated Middle East peace plan. The Palestinians rejected it
   outright, saying it heavily favored Israel and did not give them a
   sovereign, contiguous state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The
   Israelis welcomed the so-called "Deal of the Century," negotiated by a
   team led by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

   The Trump administration also moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to
   Jerusalem, further angering the Palestinians. Biden criticized the move
   but has not said he would reverse it. During his campaign, he proposed
   opening a U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem to engage with the
   Palestinians.

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