While Israel has disavowed the creation of a unilateral Palestinian state, the US hopes for a future demilitarized Palestinian state living in peace with Israel
The government issued a proclamation disavowing unilateral Palestinian statehood, which the Knesset is expected to ratify Monday, as Israel hardened its stance against attempts by Western countries to issue such recognition.
“One thing Israel cannot agree to is an international diktat that would seek to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state, basically force a Palestinian state on Israel after the horror of October 7,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Conference of Presidents in Jerusalem on Sunday night.
US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew was in the room as Netanyahu described to the Jewish-American leaders how the government, at its weekly meeting that afternoon, had unanimously approved a statement detailing its position on unilateralism.
“Israel utterly rejects international diktats regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians. A settlement, if it is to be reached, will come about solely through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions,” Netanyahu said as he read out word for word the text of the government proclamation.
“Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Such recognition in the wake of the October 7th massacre would be a massive and unprecedented reward to terrorism and would prevent any future peace settlement,” Netanyahu stated to applaud from the audience.
“You should know that the people of Israel are really united on this,” he said, as he asked the Conference of Presidents to also affirm the statement.
Netanyahu’s statement and the government vote marks the third time in as many days that the Prime Minister has spoken out about this issue, which was also discussed by the security cabinet on Thursday night.
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