US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the bombardment in Gaza and Sweden’s application to join the Nato alliance in a phone call, the two countries said in separate statements according to Reuters.

Turkiye, which backs a two-state solution to the generations-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has lambasted Israel over its devastating offensive in Gaza, a tiny enclave, and called for an immediate ceasefire. It has also criticised Western support for Israel, namely from the United States.

In a statement, Turkiye’s presidency said Erdogan had told Biden the United States had a historic responsibility to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, which could be ensured if its Nato ally cut back its unconditional support for Israel.

“It is the historic responsibility of the USA to ensure a permanent ceasefire in the region as soon as possible,” Erdogan was cited by his office as saying.

The White House said Biden “reiterated his support for Israel’s right to defend itself” and emphasised “the need for a political horizon for the Palestinian people” — namely, the Palestinian quest for a state in Israeli-occupied territory.