From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 15, 2024
‘Not the time’ for ‘gifts’ to Palestinians, says government spokesperson amid reports of plan for statehood
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
In the wake of a Washington Post report that the US and Arab allies are preparing to present a plan that includes a firm timeline for a Palestinian state, Israel says that it is not the time to be discussing plans for the “day after” Hamas.
“Here in Israel, we are still in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre,” says Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Avi Hyman in a briefing.
“Now is not the time to be speaking about gifts for the Palestinian people, at a time when the Palestinian Authority themselves have yet to even condemn the October 7 massacre,” he continues.
“Now is the time for victory, total victory over Hamas,” he insists.
“All discussions of the day after Hamas will be had the day after Hamas,” he says.
