Netanyahu Doubles Down on Opposition to Palestinian State Ahead of UN Vote
JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and multiple cabinet ministers reaffirmed their staunch opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state on Sunday,prior to a Monday vote at the UN Security Council on a U.S.-drafted resolution concerning Gaza. The resolution raises the possibility of a future Palestinian state, a concept the Israeli government firmly rejects.
the renewed opposition comes as the UN prepares to vote on a draft resolution that notably endorses former President Donald trump’s peace plan for Gaza. This plan, which led to a fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on October 10 after two years of conflict, envisions a provisional administration of palestinian territories.
“Our opposition to a Palestinian state on any territory has not changed,” Netanyahu stated at the opening of a council of ministers, adding he required ”no personal lessons” on the matter.
Far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized what he perceived as silence from the government following the recognition of the state of Palestine by France and other nations in September. He called for ”an appropriate and firm response…that will clarify [Israel’s position] to the whole world: there will never be a Palestinian state on the lands of our homeland,” posting the statement on X.
Itamar Ben Gvir, another far-right government figure and leader of the Otzma Yehudit (“Jewish Power”) party, declared his party would not participate in “any government that would accept” the creation of a Palestinian state.
Defense Minister Israel katz and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Saar also voiced their rejection of a Palestinian state.
The U.S. draft resolution authorizes the deployment of an “international stabilization force” (ISF) in the Palestinian territory and proposes a “peace committee,” chaired by Donald Trump, to administer the territory provisionally until the end of December 2027.
