Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s victory in Tuesday’s elections is a disappointment for congressional Democrats, who believe he is undermining the prospects for a negotiated peace with the Palestinians.
“I don’t think it’s a very good sign,” Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the second-ranked lawmaker in the Democratic caucus, told the Washington Examiner. “America’s foreign policy has historically been for a two-state solution. I support that. I don’t believe that Netanyahu does. And, he’s made it clear that he doesn’t.”
Netanyahu withstood a stiff challenge from newly formed party led by Benny Gantz, a former Israeli Defense Forces chief who hoped to capitalize on impending corruption charges against the prime minister. Netanyahu campaigned on his close partnership with President Trump, but Democratic lawmakers maintain that alliance is dooming the White House’s long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.
“I think it dims the prospect of a two-state solution,” New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, told the Washington Examiner. “Every deal requires a negotiation with a give-and-take. It sounds like he’s unwilling to give anything that I can see.”
Netanyahu has enjoyed a series of historic diplomatic victories since Trump took office, perhaps most notably the decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which has been contested since the Six-Day War of 1967, just weeks before Israeli voters went to the polls in a tight race. And Netanyahu pledged to extend Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, which has historically been regarded as part of a future Palestinian state under a prospective deal.
“I just think we’re getting further and further away from the two-state solution ever being a reality,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., another member of the Foreign Relations Committee, told the Washington Examiner. “I’m really worried about the future of a Jewish state in the Middle East if a two-state solution ultimately disappears as a future reality. And, Netanyahu and Trump seem to be doing everything possible to eliminate the ability for Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace in the long run.”
Netanyahu has never had a better friend in the White House, after years of a tense relationship with former President Barack Obama. The Israeli leader made his personal relationship with Trump a centerpiece of the election, touting their ties in the election campaign. The president was thrilled by Netanyahu’s win.
“Trump flags being waived at the Bibi @Netanyahu VICTORY celebration last night!” Trump tweeted on Wednesday. “Spoke to Bibi @Netanyahu to congratulate him on a great and hard-fought win. The United States is with him and the People of Israel all the way!”
That alliance may be key to the success or failure of the administration’s effort to break the Israeli-Palestinian stalemate. Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser on the issue, has been waiting until after the elections to unveil his plan. Netanyahu could play a leading role in convincing the Israelis to make difficult compromises in exchange for a broader agreement, but Senate Democrats doubt that will happen.
“He has shown no propensity to do that,” Menendez said of Netanyahu. “Now, we’ll see after the elections whether he pivots and has any sense of a willingness to do that, but he has not exhibited anything. And, he’s gotten from the administration just about everything they’d want … there’s no reason for them to be negotiating at this point.”
That’s a problem for Durbin, Menendez, and other lawmakers who believe that the failure to negotiate the formation of a Palestinian state will force Israeli leaders either to grant citizenship to Palestinians, which could threaten Israel’s Jewish majority, or control Palestinian territory without giving them equality under the law.
“Israel cannot be Jewish and democratic under a one-state solution,” Menendez said. “It can be either, but it cannot be both. And so, you know, I hope that we still have a two-state solution alive.”
