BIDEN AND ISRAEL RELATIONS

By Daniel Shapiro’23

With a new administration elected in the United States of America, there will be new relations between the USA and Israel.
The policies laid out by the Biden Administration at the UN suggest a turn toward modest non-interference regarding Israel, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
At the United Nations Security Council meeting on Jan. 26, the then-acting US ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Mills, stated that the Biden administration would support a two-state solution.

“The only way to ensure Israel’s future as a Jewish, democratic state and to give the Palestinians a state to which they are entitled is through the so-called two-state solution,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during his confirmation hearing. 
Mills later said that the Biden Administration welcomes the normalizing of relations between Israel and the neighboring nations. However, they do not see that as a stand-in for peace between Israelis and the Palestinians. 
“Peace cannot be imposed on either the Israelis or the Palestinians.” Mills said.
At that UN security council meeting, Mills also lays out where the US’s engagement with the conflict will be coming from.
“US diplomatic engagement will begin from the premise that sustainable progress must be based on active consultation with both sides and that ultimate success requires the active consent of both sides.” 
Many political statements seem to support all parties, but Mills stated at the council meeting that the US supports Israel.
“I must be clear, the US will maintain its steadfast support for Israel. Under the Biden Administration, the United States will continue its longstanding policy of opposing one-sided resolutions and other actions in international bodies that unfairly single out Israel. The United States will also work to promote Israel’s standing and participation in United Nations bodies and other international organizations,” Mills said.
“I don’t think that promise can be kept, because the US says it will be for Israel, but I do not trust that promise,” sophomore Shirel Benoliel said.
These policies are being introduced into an already rocky political landscape. The Trump Administration had cut the references on whether the West Bank is occupied or not from the annual Human Rights Report. 
“I think that the Biden administration’s more neutral approach to Israel is better than the way that the previous administration had behaved. It’s more likely to ultimately result in peace,” sophomore Izzi Zellan said.
“[The US approves] the recent normalization agreements between Israel and UN Member States in the Arab world, as well as Muslim-majority countries,” Mills said.
The USA’s turn towards neutrality in regards to Israel will be a major shift in the region. The actual effects of this policy change remain to be seen.
“The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians may not be the major fault line in the Middle East, but its resolution nevertheless would significantly benefit the region as a whole. It is the hope of the United States that normalization can proceed in a way that unlocks new possibilities to advance a two-state solution.” Mills said.