Former President George W. Bush warned Iran is “dangerous” for future stability in the Middle East, arguing the Islamic republic is working to “break up alliances” forged during the Trump administration.
Bush told Fox News on Wednesday that a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians is going to be “very difficult at this stage.”
He went on to explain to the news outlet that what’s happening right now between Israeli forces and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is the fruit of “Iranian influence targeted toward Israel.”
“I think the best approach with regard to Iran is to understand that their influence is dangerous for world peace, that they are very much involved with extremist movements in Lebanon and Syria and Yemen, and they are aiming to spread their influence,” the former president said. “Any deal that is done has got to not only focus on its nuclear capabilities, but also its influence in the Middle East.”
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“And you know, any deal, you’ve got to keep in mind the dangers of an aggressive Iran to our allies, and to stability, so it has to be a comprehensive look,” he added.
Bush’s comments come as the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians enters its 10th day. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has no timeline to end the war with Gaza.
President Joe Biden, for his part, is urging Netanyahu to call for a ceasefire. While the president reaffirmed to the prime minister “strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself,” he told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas he has a “strong commitment” to a two-state solution.
Bush, though, thinks coming to that place will be very challenging.
“I think it’s very difficult at this stage,” he said. “I wish, obviously, all of us should hope there’s not violence, but what I think you’re seeing playing out is Iranian influence targeted toward Israel, and trying to break up alliances that were formed in the previous administration called the Abraham Accords.”
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The Republican was referring to the peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates established during former President Donald Trump’s administration.
At the moment, Bush said, leaders in the Middle East “who don’t want peace are provoking and attacking Israel, and Israel is, of course, responding for national security reasons.
“So it’s going to take a while,” he said. “It’s going to require the Arab world deciding that peace with Israel is important for solving the Palestinian issue.”