Having rejected US President Joe Biden’s call for a two-state solution to the Palestinian problem, Benjamin Netanyahu re-stated on Sunday his intentions to “eliminate Hamas.”

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Read also: Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen: “Hamas & its funding sources in Europe & the world must be eliminated”

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History of the two-state “solution”

The two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem is a proposal that envisions the establishment of two separate and independent states for Israelis and Palestinians, coexisting side by side in the region. The origins of this idea can be traced back to the mid-20th century, following the Arab-Israeli War of 1948-1949 and the subsequent creation of the state of Israel.

By Wickey-nl – Own work, based on http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ochaopt_atlas_opt_general_december2011.pdf on [1], CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31797179

While the Jewish leadership accepted the plan, the Arab states rejected it, leading to continued hostilities. The outcome of the war resulted in Israel’s establishment and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs.

The idea of a two-state solution gained traction in the aftermath of the Six-Day War in 1967 when Israel occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

The international community, including the United Nations, began advocating for a resolution to the conflict based on the establishment of two states, Israel and Palestine, living within recognised and secure borders.

Oslo Accords mark a step forward.

Numerous peace initiatives and negotiations followed, with the Oslo Accords in the 1990s representing a significant step forward.

However, the road to a two-state solution has been marred by numerous challenges, including issues related to borders, refugees, the status of Jerusalem, and security concerns.

Efforts to reach a final agreement have faced setbacks due to ongoing violence, settlement expansions, and political disagreements. Despite international support for the two-state solution, achieving a lasting resolution remains elusive, with various peace plans and negotiations meeting with limited success.

The history of the two-state solution reflects the complex and deeply rooted nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the need for sustained diplomatic efforts, compromise, and international involvement to address the competing national aspirations and historical grievances of both parties.