A deal for a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be finalized while this government is led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid told Channel 11 on Thursday.
“There is no agreement for this [two-states] within the government,” Lapid said.
Two-states “won’t happen within this composition [rotation] of the government,” he explained, adding that he himself holds that this is the best resolution to the conflict.
Lapid was asked if this would change after the government rotation when he replaces Bennett as prime minister.
“It could be,” Lapid said.
"I want to separate from the Palestinians," he explained adding, "I don't have any interest in ruling over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza or 2.9 million in Judea and Samaria."
In an interview with Channel 13, Lapid also highlighted the difference between his position on the matter and that of Bennett's.
"I believe in two-states for two people, the Prime Minister doesn't believe in it," Lapid said.
He clarified that it was understood from the start that this government was designed more for domestic issues, but that there was agreement not to take action to prevent action on the Palestinian front in the future.
Lapid gave wide-ranging interviews to channels 11, 12 and 13. He touched briefly on the Israeli-Palestinian front in advance of Bennett’s upcoming meeting next week in Washington with US President Joe Biden that will deal in part with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In its announcement about the meeting, the White House emphasized that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would be on the agenda.
"The visit will also be an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss efforts to advance peace, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians and the importance of working towards a more peaceful and secure future for the region," the White House said.
Bennett, who heads the right-wing Yamina Party and who was the former Yesha director-general, has been clear in the past that he does not support a Palestinian state. He is to the right on this issue of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who supported a demilitarized Palestinian state.
His coalition, however, includes parties that do support a two-state resolution to the conflict, such as Lapid's Yesh Atid Party.
The Biden administration has not pushed to renew Israeli-Palestinians negotiations, which have been frozen since 2014. But it has insisted that Israel not take any steps that would endanger the resumption of such a process.
Although there are no negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian, the two sides are in contact particularly around security issues.
After the new government was sworn into office in May, Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke by telephone with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Newly appointed President Isaac Herzog also spoke with Abbas.
During his 12-years in office, Netanyahu rarely spoke with Abbas. Neither Bennett or Lapid have done so since they took up their posts.
When pressed on the issue by Channel 11, Lapid clarified that he has not spoken with Abbas.