Thabiso Goba4 September 2024 | 15:42

Two-state solution between Israel and Palestine now impossible - Mbeki

Speaking to students at the University of South Africa on Wednesday afternoon, Thabo Mbeki said it was no longer possible for people from the two countries to live side by side.

Two-state solution between Israel and Palestine now impossible - Mbeki

Fomer President Thabo Mbeki addressed students at the University of South Africa (UNISA) on 4 September 2024. Picture: @MbekiSchool/X

JOHANNESBURG - Former state president, Thabo Mbeki, said that the Israeli government's actions had made a two-state solution impossible between it and Palestine.

Since the re-escalation of the conflict between the two countries in October last year, the Israeli government has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, while over 1,400 Israelis have been killed by the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. 

Speaking to students at the University of South Africa on Wednesday afternoon, Mbeki said it was no longer possible for people from the two countries to live side by side.

"The possibility for the establishment of a two-state, I think, has ceased to exist because of the way the Israelis have handled this matter. If, for instance, you take the occupation, the settlements on the West Bank, practically the physical establishment of two states has ceased to exist."