US–Israel tension over two state solution

NETANYAHU'S highly contested victory brings to the fore some very disturbing realities in the Palestine-Israel relations. Throughout his previous three terms in office, Netanyahu has blatantly projected a highly aggressive, militant, overbearing role of jingoistic, anti-Arab, fear mongering rhetoric, almost verging on racism.

Of particular concern was the election campaign of his 4th term in which he seemed to have banked on creating a fear psychosis - triggering the most extremist sentiments, declaring his stand that he would never agree to a two-state solution – a stand point after decades of negotiated positioning of a two-state solution endorsed by a succession of Israeli governments.

Netanyahu's ultra rightist position has soured relations with the US especially with the Obama administration, so much so that their differences became public. To Obama's credit, he has taken a firm stance against Netanyahu's anti-two state solution. European powers have been even stronger in their outrage against Netanyahu's position. Even Israel's president, Reuven Rivlin acknowledged that the comments made by Netanyahu should not have been made in a Jewish state or any democratic state.

After winning the election he has slightly modified his extremist stance, which, we feel, is nothing more than political posturing. We express our deep concern over this development in the Arab-Israel conflict and commend President Obama's administration and other western governments for their unambiguous criticism of Netanyahu's political stance. We hope that the US and the European powers will bring back the two-state solution as a centre point of peace in the Arab-Israel conflict.