Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed on Sunday that Israel remains firmly opposed to a Palestinian state, after far-right coalition partners protested a U.S.-backed UN draft resolution suggesting a pathway to Palestinian independence under Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan.
The United States and several Muslim-majority countries recently endorsed the draft resolution, which outlines a transitional administration for Gaza and notes that reforms within the Palestinian Authority could create conditions for Palestinian self-determination.
The clause sparked outrage among far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who demanded Netanyahu reject the idea, with Ben-Gvir threatening to leave the coalition. A walkout could collapse Netanyahu’s government before the next scheduled election in 2026.
Netanyahu insisted Israel’s stance “has not changed,” saying Gaza will be demilitarized and Hamas disarmed. Other senior Israeli officials also voiced opposition to Palestinian statehood.
The debate comes weeks after Trump’s plan ended major fighting between Israel and Hamas and amid growing Western moves to recognize a Palestinian state, which have drawn criticism from Israeli hardliners.
Credit : CGTN