Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke on Thursday to an audience at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, where she expressed the need for new leadership on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in order to achieve peace. Clinton emphasized that Hamas is not a partner for peace or a two-state solution, and that the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and a new leadership in Gaza would be crucial for making progress in the region.
When asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s potential to negotiate a two-state solution, Clinton expressed skepticism. She stated that there is no evidence to support the likelihood of Netanyahu achieving such a deal, indicating that it would ultimately be up to the Israeli people to decide about his leadership.
In regards to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Clinton commented on the unlikelihood of a ceasefire, stating that it would freeze the situation in Hamas’ favor and would not be accepted by Israel. She did, however, mention the possibility of Netanyahu accepting “humanitarian pauses” to allow aid to reach Gazan civilians and for the release of hostages taken in recent attacks.
Furthermore, Clinton touched on the challenges facing President Joe Biden in getting Congress to approve a funding package for both Israel and Ukraine, describing it as a matter of “tough negotiations.” She explained that the Democrat-majority Senate has blocked the Republican-majority House bill, which only funded Israel, insisting on a White House proposal that combined funding for both Israel and Ukraine, along with additional allocations for Taiwan and immigration, totaling $106 billion.
Speaking to a global audience of corporate and government leaders at the Capella Singapore hotel, Clinton’s remarks carried the weight of her extensive experience in public service. She served as First Lady of the United States during her husband Bill Clinton’s presidency, followed by two terms as a US Senator and later as Secretary of State in the Obama administration. Clinton also made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2008 and again in 2016, where she lost to Donald Trump.
In conclusion, Hillary Clinton’s insights into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges facing US foreign policy offer valuable perspectives from her years of experience at the forefront of American politics. Her calls for new leadership and pragmatic negotiations serve as a reminder of the complex and interconnected nature of global diplomacy and conflict resolution.
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