The Biden administration, together with several Arab countries, is quickly advancing a plan for a timetable to create a Palestinian state the day after the war in Gaza ends, the Washington Post reported. According to the plan, which the Post called a "comprehensive plan for long-term peace between Israel and Palestinians," the timeline for the establishment of "Palestine" could be announced within the next several weeks. The plan is being advanced quickly due to the proposed temporary cessation of fire suggested in the prisoner swap deals placed on the negotiations table. The planners hope that a ceasefire of at least six weeks would allow time to announce the plan to the public, recruit support, and take necessary steps towards creating a state; they hope that an agreement can be reached before Ramadan begins on March 10. One US official told the Post that, "The key is the hostage deal." Related articles: Harris aides discussed, 'What happens if Biden dies in office' Former student denounces detention as ‘anti-Palestinian racism’ Trump ends Secret Service protection for Biden’s children Shipment of 2,000-pound bombs from US arrives in Israel The Post claimed that Israel is "the elephant in the room," since Israel would need to agree to withdraw "many, if not all, settler communities on the West Bank," as well as agree to "Palestine's" capital being "East Jerusalem," reconstructing Gaza, and allowing security and governance agreements for an Arab state in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. "The hope is that Israel would also be offered specific security guarantees and normalization with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states that would be hard to refuse," the Post added. US officials also aid that the actions under consideration include "early US recognition of a Palestinian state," even while the exact elements of such a state are being implemented. A US official briefed to the talks explained to the Post , "We don’t want to lose the momentum of this moment by doing this in pieces and in parts." Gush Etzion Regional Council Mayor, and Chairman of the Yesha Council, Shlomo Ne'eman, commented on the report: "The establishment of a Palestinian state means a loss in the war and a victory for the cruel enemy in the Palestinian Authority." "We cannot turn off the lights and give up the State of Israel. Therefore we will not be silent until we receive a clear announcement from the Israeli government that a Palestinian state will not be established, not tomorrow, and not at all.'' Binyamin Regional Council Governor Israel Ganz denounced the plan: "Do not reward murder! There can be no gift of an independent palestinian state after the October 7th massacre. This would be not only a moral disgrace but a massive threat to Israel's very existence." "The Israel Defense Forces have spent the past few months combating threats on Israel's borders, and this includes a major rise in terror against Jewish Israelis in Judea, Samaria, and in Binyamin - just a few short miles from the central Israeli towns of Netanya, Kfar Saba and Tel Aviv. Establishing a palestinian state in these highlands will turn Kfar Saba into Kfar Aza and Modi'in into Be'eri, no less. It is inconceivable that Israel’s closest ally could reward the perpetrators and supporters of the October massacre in our southern communities, to boost the expectations of child murderers and rapists, terrorists who rose up against the Jewish People and the State of Israel, just four months ago." "The Israeli government must announce, immediately and in no uncertain terms, that it opposes and completely rejects any palestinian statehood process at this time. The responsibility for such an announcement rests squarely on the shoulders of our Prime Minister and his Cabinet, and we expect our leaders to make this clear to the US and to the world."
