Senate Democrat says Netanyahu ‘animated by his own domestic political interest’
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) on Sunday took a swipe at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership, claiming he is motivated by "his own domestic political interest."
Bennet's remarks were in response to Netanyahu's latest rejection of two-state solution, in which he said last week "Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state." He has called the establishment of a Palestinian state a "huge reward" following Hamas's Oct. 7 assault on Israel that left about 1,200 people dead, including hundreds of civilians.
Asked on "Fox News Sunday" about the issue, Bennet said, "Well, I completely disagree with what Prime Minister Netanyahu said. I’m not sure he would care to hear me say that, but I do completely disagree with it."
"I think he is animated by his own domestic political interest. He wants to stay in charge and he's -- and that's why he is pursuing the policies that he's pursuing I think," he added. "And it's important for the United States to continue to stand as Democratic and Republican administrations had over generations for a two-state solution because that will be the only solution that will endure. There is no way for there to be an independent, democratic Israel -- Jewish-only state in the region without also there being a Palestinian state."
Over 28,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since early October, per The Associated Press, citing the Health Ministry in Gaza. This climbing death toll has prompted increased calls for at least a temporary pause in fighting to allow more humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.
The Washington Post reported last week the U.S., along with other Arab nations' are working on a long-term plan for peace includes a firm timeline for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The Biden administration has been working with Qatar and Egypt in recent weeks to broker such a plan that also would see both a pause in fighting and the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
"People in Palestine deserve to live a decent life. People in Israel deserve to live a decent life, and I hope America can be a stalwart ally as we move into a world with that two-state solution," Bennet said Sunday.
Pressed over swirling concerns over Biden's ability to handle the Israel-Hamas war, Bennet criticized former President Trump's approach to matters in the Middle East.
"Well, what I say on that... is that the president is -- President Biden's going to have to go out and litigate this election," Bennet said, adding later, "Obviously, you know, the situation in the Middle East is a grave one at the moment and the American people I think are reacting quite understandably to the chaos that's there."
"The question I would ask if I were -- and I will ask when I’m voting in November is, which of these presidents is more likely to bring more chaos which is more likely to be able to work with allies around the world to bring a more enduring -- if not peace -- a path forward in the Middle East. That's eluded all of us for the last 70 years and we need to do better than we've done," he continued.
Bennet further argued Iran became more dangerous during Trump's presidency compared to under former President Obama.