In a significant shift of policy, Israel’s ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, declared on Wednesday that Israel would “absolutely” reject the possibility of a two-state solution following the conclusion of the war in Gaza.
Hotovely, in an interview with Sky News, emphasized Israel’s stance, claiming that Palestinians have consistently demonstrated an unwillingness to coexist with Israel in a two-state framework. According to her, the Palestinian leadership’s ambition extends beyond a neighboring state, seeking control “from the river to the sea.”
The ambassador criticized the Palestinian Authority for its failure to condemn the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. Regarding UN calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, Hotovely expressed skepticism, stating, “Ceasefire? No. It just basically means we would like to welcome another attack (like the one on) Oct. 7.”
She further questioned historical precedents, challenging the idea of creating a humanitarian corridor to an enemy. Drawing an analogy to World War II, Hotovely remarked, “Do you remember any country in the world creating a humanitarian corridor to the enemy? I don’t remember you (the UK) helping Nazi Germany… and I don’t remember America helping the Japanese during the Second World War.”
Hotovely also rebuffed a statement by US President Joe Biden, who suggested on Tuesday that Israel was bombing Gaza “indiscriminately.” The ambassador rejected this characterization, asserting that Israel’s military actions were targeted.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, marked by Israel’s airstrikes and ground assaults, has resulted in a significant loss of life. Palestinian officials report over 18,500 Palestinians killed, including many women and children. The situation continues to evolve, and global diplomatic efforts face challenges in finding a resolution that satisfies both Israeli and Palestinian aspirations for peace and security.
