Austrian Nobel laureate Elfriede Jelinek has publicly condemned what she described as “land grabbing” in the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem, challenging the viability of a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a text titled “In a promised land,” published on her website last Friday, the 79-year-old writer expressed deep skepticism about Western discourse on the Middle East peace process, calling it a “lie” that ignores the realities on the ground.

Jelinek, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2004, argued that talk of establishing a Palestinian state is unrealistic under current conditions. She wrote that this unspoken falsehood collapses when confronted with ongoing land seizures in the Palestinian territories. She also voiced fears of “ethnic cleansing,” stating that where land becomes scarce, “people themselves become meaningless.”

The author alluded to “plans” for the land that she suggested originate from former U.S. President Donald Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Trump had previously referred to Gaza, a territory Israel invaded following a Hamas attack in October 2023, as a “beautiful piece of property.” Jelinek's reference reflects her critical stance on such characterizations and policies toward the area.

Jelinek drew on her personal background in condemning the current situation. She revealed that her Jewish father survived the Holocaust and highlighted her “love for the Jewish state,” which provided refuge to some of her ancestors. However, she emphasized that a respect for history should not preclude criticism. She called for stronger measures, including European Union sanctions, in response to what she described as violence by Israeli settlers and the confiscation of Palestinian land.

Austria, the country where Jelinek resides, is a member of the European Union and has historically been a firm supporter of Israel. Her statements thus introduce a notable perspective within a context where Austrian official policy has tended toward backing Israel's security concerns.

Jelinek’s remarks contribute to ongoing debates about the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting persistent tensions over settlement activity and the prospects for peace. Her critique underscores the challenges facing the two-state solution, a concept that remains central yet contentious in international diplomatic efforts.