Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly stated that Israel opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state. This declaration follows protests from far-right allies within his coalition, which were sparked by a recent US-backed statement endorsing a pathway to Palestinian independence. The tensions highlight the challenges Netanyahu faces within his governing coalition, which includes both conservatives and ultra-nationalists.
On November 7, the UN Security Council began discussions on a draft resolution that supports President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. This proposal outlines a framework for a “Board of Peace” transitional administration in Gaza, aiming to facilitate post-war reconstruction and economic recovery. The resolution emphasizes that reforms within the Palestinian Authority could pave the way for what it describes as a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination.
The mention of Palestinian statehood has provoked a backlash among Israeli far-right leaders. Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have called on Netanyahu to denounce any notion of a Palestinian state. Ben-Gvir has even threatened to withdraw from the governing coalition unless decisive action is taken.
Netanyahu responded on Sunday, reaffirming Israel’s position against a Palestinian state. He stated, “Our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory has not changed. Gaza will be demilitarised and Hamas will be disarmed, the easy way or the hard way.” This statement underscores the potential instability within his coalition, as a far-right exit could jeopardize Netanyahu’s government ahead of the next election, scheduled for October 2026.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also echoed this sentiment, publicly rejecting the idea of a Palestinian state without directly referencing Netanyahu.
Netanyahu had previously supported Trump’s plan during a visit to the White House in September, but he had not issued a recent statement regarding Palestinian statehood until now. In September, several Western nations, including France, formally recognized a Palestinian state, a move that angered the Israeli government. Smotrich criticized Netanyahu for not responding to these developments sooner, urging him to clarify Israel’s stance that a Palestinian state “will never arise on the lands of our homeland.”
The ongoing conflict has been devastating for the Gaza Strip. According to local health authorities, over 69,000 people have died due to extensive Israeli bombardments and ground offensives over the past two years. This violence escalated following Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis. A ceasefire took effect on October 10, although sporadic outbreaks of violence have continued since then.
As discussions about Palestinian statehood remain contentious, the geopolitical landscape in the region continues to evolve, with significant implications for Israel and its neighbors.
