Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is rejecting U.S. calls for a two-state solution to the war in Gaza.
The White House increased pressure on Netanyahu last week to adopt the plan, but the prime minister said yesterday that Palestinian statehood is a threat to Israeli national security. Netanyahu also resisted halting the offensive in Gaza before Israel destroys Hamas and brings home all remaining hostages.
National Security spokesman John Kirby responded yesterday that the White House believes the two-state solution is best for both Israel and the Palestinians.
European lawmakers adopted a resolution yesterday that calls for a permanent ceasefire in the war. But that is conditioned on a need for Hamas to dismantle while releasing the rest of the hostages. The EU passed the non-binding resolution 312 to 131.