UNITED NATIONS:  Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid vowed to back a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue in his speech to the UN General Assembly.

Lapid stated on Thursday that the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel is the best solution to the bloody conflict that has raged for years, as per reports. This is the first time in years that an Israeli leader has publicly expressed support for the two-state solution.

The Prime Minister said in a speech that was shown on Israel's major TV stations, "An agreement with the Palestinians, based on two states for two peoples, is the correct thing for Israel's security, for Israel's economy, and for the future of our children."

The establishment of a peaceful future Palestinian state is the only requirement, according to us. He emphasised that he would only be in favour of such a step if the future Palestinian state "would not become another terror base from which to endanger the security and very life of Israel" and if the Jewish state will be able to defend itself.

He urged other nations to adopt the same policy as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, which decided to normalise relations with Israel in 2020.

"Israel wants to live in peace with its neighbours. We appeal to all Muslim nations, from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, to acknowledge this and contact us. For peace, our hand is extended." It is hotly debated in Israel whether or not Israel should leave the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where the Palestinians want to establish their future state. Despite the ongoing Palestinian resistance and worldwide criticism, Israel continues to hold authority over these areas.

In a speech in 2009, the former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support for a two-state solution built on a territorial compromise. But later, during his re-election efforts, Netanyahu repeatedly rejected the notion of a Palestinian state.

Prior to reaching a deadlock over Israeli settlement building in the West Bank, Israel and the Palestinians held their most recent round of peace negotiations in 2014.

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