Biden pushes for Israel-Palestine two-state solution at UN General Assembly

US President Joe Biden reiterated his country’s commitment to a two-state solution, insisting that it is the only way to find peace in the region, despite the continued construction of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and continued violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians.

“The commitment of the United States to Israel’s security is without question and our support for an independent Jewish state is unequivocal,” Biden said in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

“But I continue to believe that a two-state solution is the best way to ensure Israel’s future as a Jewish democratic state, living in peace alongside a viable, sovereign democratic Palestinian state.

“We’re a long way from that goal at this moment but we should never allow ourselves to give up on the possibility of progress,” he added.

Biden’s statement continues Washington's official line of endorsing a two-state solution to end Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.

Palestinians living in the West Bank frequently face serious violence and intimidation from settlers and extremists and rights groups say Israel's treatment of Palestinians amounts to “apartheid”.

The continued construction of illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank casts serious doubt on the prospects for a two-state solution.

All Jewish settlements in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, are considered illegal by most of the international community.

Despite international opposition, Israel continues to buildiof such settlements.

As of November 2019, there were more than 200 Israeli settlements inhabited by approximately 620,000 illegal settlers.

In July, Israeli authorities approved the construction of 510 new housing units at a settlement near the West Bank city of Bethlehem.