2-state solution not likely under Bennett-led government: Israeli foreign minister

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - An agreement for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be finalized under the incumbent government led by Naftali Bennett, the Israeli foreign minister said.

The two-state solution “will not happen within this composition [rotation] of the government,” Jerusalem Post quoted Yair Lapid as saying.

Under the new coalition agreement signed in June, right-wing Bennett will serve the first two years and centrist Lapid the following two.

In response to a question if this would change when he replaces Bennett as prime minister, Lapid said: "It could be."

The right-wing Bennett categorically opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state, while the centrist Lapid supports separation from the Palestinians, without agreeing to the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.

Bennett is scheduled to meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House next Thursday to discuss regional issues, including Iran and the Palestinian issue.

The current US administration announced its support for the two-state solution and its opposition to any measure that would undermine this solution.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat