BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview that he intends to explore alternatives to the status quo, in order to avoid the spectre of a binational state.

Nine months of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) were suspended last month without an agreement. However, just days before the talks’ deadline, PA President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction agreed to form a unity government with Hamas, which remains dedicated to Israel’s destruction, prompting Israel to suspend the negotiations.

Given the current impasse in talks, Prime Minister Netanyahu told the Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun yesterday, during a visit to the country, “I don’t think the status quo is desirable, I don’t want it and I’m engaging in consultations with my own coalition partners and with others, to see if we have other alternatives, because I think the status quo is not a good idea, because I don’t want a binational state.” Haaretz reports that an anonymous Israeli official said that Netanyahu will explore alternative diplomatic solutions with government and security officials on his return from Japan. At a cabinet meeting two weeks ago, Netanyahu asked ministers to suggest new paths Israel might take in light of the suspension of peace talks and the Fatah-Hamas unity pact.

Some Israeli commentators and analysts have suggested that a unilateral Israeli withdrawal from some areas of the West Bank would be a logical next step. However, such a move would face almost certain opposition from elements of Netanyahu’s Likud Party and coalition partner Jewish Home, who favour a move to annex parts of the West Bank.

Meanwhile, in London yesterday US Secretary of State John Kerry met with PA President Abbas for the first time since peace negotiations were suspended. Israel Radio news reported that according to a State Department official, Kerry urged a return to talks and stressed that any Palestinian government must renounce terror, recognise Israel and adhere to previous agreements with Israel.