In West Bank, Biden backs ‘two states for two peoples’ policy

But the U.S. President also added that the ground is ‘not ripe at the moment’ for the negotiations to restart.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday reiterated his continued support for “two states for two peoples” policy during a visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Friday. However, he acknowledged that the “ground is not ripe” for reviving stalled talks aimed at achieving an elusive peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

His comments came during a joint appearance in Bethlehem with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, where he announced $201 million for a United Nations agency that supports Palestinians refugees.

“The Palestinian people are hurting now,” Mr. Biden said. “You can just feel it. Your grief and frustration. In the United States, we can feel it.”

Mr. Biden said they “deserve a state of their own that’s independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous. Two states for two peoples, both of whom have deep and ancient roots in this land, living side by side in peace and security.”

“Even if the ground is not ripe at this moment to restart negotiations, the United States and my administration will not give up on bringing the Palestinians and the Israelis, both sides, closer together,” he said.