Biden calls for 'sustainable negotiated peace' between Israel and Palestinians

JERUSALEM — President Biden on Thursday called for a "lasting peace negotiated between the State of Israel and the Palestinian people" and reiterated calls for a two-state solution to the conflict .

Israel "must remain an independent,Democratic Jewish state," Biden said during the at a press conference in Jerusalem after meeting the country's Prime Minister Yair Lapid during a four-day visit to the Middle East. "The best way to achieve this is still a two-state solution."

Ahead of the president's arrival on Wednesday, the Israeli government made several small gestures towards the Palestinians , including the granting of new work permits for Gazans. But as Mr. Biden will visit Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem on Friday, restoring communications that have been cut off during the Trump presidency, there is little hope that the visit will bring progress in resolving the dispute.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Palestinian anger against the Biden administration has grown in recent weeks amid claims that the United States favors Israel and accusations that the United States States have tried to shield Israel from scrutiny after the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, a prominent Palestinian American journalist who was killed while reporting in the occupied West Bank in May.

For years, Palestinians have questioned Washington's ability to mediate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a neutral manner, citing strong US support for Israel at the United Nations and the extent of final support. ncier and US military to Israel, which has received more US aid than any other country since World War II.

Palestinians have also been disappointed by Mr. Biden's failure to reverse several measures taken by the Trump administration that the Palestinians deemed harmful to their hopes of independence.