Israeli Prime Minister Lapid in UN speech supports two-state solution with Palestinians

Israeli interim Prime Minister Yair Lapid in a United Nations address Thursday voiced support for a two-state solution for his country and Palestinians, resulting in a mixed international response.

Israel Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked tweeted that Lapid "speaks only for himself when he supports a Palestinian state."

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Lapid "will not be allowed to establish a Palestinian state."

He also accused Lapid of "bringing the Palestinians back to the forefront of the world stage and putting Israel right into the Palestinian pit."

However, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides called the speech "courageous."

"Peaceful coexistence is [the] only way forward," Nides tweeted. "As [President Biden] urged here in July, 'two peoples, with deep & ancient roots in this land, living side by side in peace and security.'"

Arab Knesset Member Aida Touma-Sliman tweeted: "The time for empty talk is over. The PM must commit that any gov he may form will work to end the occupation."

Lapid, who has been serving as interim prime minister since June, also said in his address that an agreement with the Palestinians "based on two states for two peoples, is the right thing for Israel's security, for Israel's economy and for the future of our children."

He said his only condition is "that a future Palestinian state will be a peaceful one" and "not become another terror base."