Biden reiterates support for two-state solution while pushing for 'Israel’s greater normalization'

US president laid out his foreign policy agenda during UNGA

America continues to work both for broader normalization of relations with Israel in the Middle East, as well as “two states for two peoples,” U.S. President Joe Biden said when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

Biden was one of the first speakers to open the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and laid out his foreign policy vision while mentioning several regions of the world.

Regarding the Middle East, Biden said that the U.S. is working to further normalize relations between Israel and the Arab world, while at the same time continuing to work toward a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) based on “two states for two peoples.”

The eyes of the world are upon the United Nations.

And we will be judged by whether or not we live up to the promises we have made to ourselves, to each other, to the most vulnerable, and to all those who will inherit the world we create. pic.twitter.com/NpTUkn9073
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 20, 2023

“Israel’s greater normalization and economic connection with its neighbors is delivering positive and practical impacts even as we continue to work tirelessly for a just and lasting peace, for Israelis and Palestinians,” Biden said.

Earlier in the day, over 75 current and former American Jewish community leaders signed an open letter to Biden, urging him to only pursue a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia if it includes “measures that tangibly advance prospects for a two-state solution.”

“In practical terms, this would entail halting Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and increasing territorial sovereignty for Palestinians, while simultaneously holding the Palestinian Authority accountable to reforms and strengthening its financial stability,” the letter stated.

One of Biden's central themes during his UNGA address was the importance of international cooperation to tackle global crises.

He referred to the recently announced plans for an energy corridor that would link India and Europe through Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

He praised the project, which “will spur opportunities for investment across two continents.”

“None of these partnerships are about containing any country, they are about a positive vision for our shared future,” Biden said in a likely reference to Iran.

However, the U.S. president later made clear that the Washington would ensure that “Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.”

Biden also called for more international support for Ukraine and stressed the need for more international cooperation on issues like development, climate, artificial intelligence and infrastructure.

Regarding China, Biden said the U.S. seeks “to responsibly manage competition” with Beijing “so it doesn't tip into conflict.”