Netanyahu says no to Palestinian state
Photo: Benjamin Netanyahu (Getty Images)
Israel has once again confirmed its uncompromising position on the creation of a Palestinian state, despite the recent truce with Hamas, according to The Times of Israel.
At a government meeting on 16 November, the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, once again stated that he does not support the establishment of Palestinian statehood on any territory.
"Our opposition to a Palestinian state anywhere west of the Jordan River exists, is firm, and has not changed whatsoever," Netanyahu said. "I have been pushing back against these attempts for decades, and I do so against external pressure and internal pressure as well."
Ultra-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir also spoke categorically. Ben-Gvir even threatened to leave the coalition if the prime minister’s position was not made clear.
Discussions have intensified due to a UN Security Council draft resolution that includes the wording about a path to Palestinian statehood as part of a US peace plan.
Netanyahu previously agreed to this plan during his visit to the White House, but since then, he has made no public comments regarding the creation of a state.
Fight against Hamas continues
The prime minister also confirmed ongoing efforts to disarm the militant group.
"I don’t need reinforcement, tweets, or lectures from anyone,” added the prime minister, whose far-right coalition partners demanded Saturday night that he unequivocally reject Palestinian statehood following the release of a US-organized statement by several nations asserting that Trump’s plan "offers a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood."
The minister of defence, Israel Katz, noted that "Israel’s policy is clear: there will be no Palestinian state."
He added that Gaza would be demilitarized down to the last tunnel, and Hamas forces disarmed on both sides of the yellow line from which Israel withdrew its troops on 10 October.
Israel intends to independently determine which international forces will be allowed to support the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as part of the plan proposed by the US administration. Netanyahu stressed that the final decision on the composition of a foreign mission will remain with Israel, allowing it to control the presence of external forces and ensure compliance with the ceasefire.
The Israeli parliament has preliminarily approved a bill to extend Israeli legislation to the occupied West Bank, receiving 25 votes in favour and 24 against out of 120 lawmakers.
