Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delivered a firm rejection of American-backed international efforts to establish a pathway toward Palestinian statehood, declaring that Israel will not permit a Palestinian state in Judea, Samaria, or Gaza.
Israeli Leadership's Unified Stance
Speaking ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's opposition to a Palestinian state on any territory west of the Jordan River remains firm and unchanged. "I have been pushing back against these attempts for decades, doing so against external pressure as well as internal pressure," Netanyahu stated. "So I don't need encouragement, tweets, or lectures from anyone."
The prime minister's position was echoed by other senior Israeli officials. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar declared earlier on Sunday that Israel would "not agree to the establishment of a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the Land of Israel", citing concerns about proximity to Israeli population centers and topographical control.
International Pressure and Israeli Response
The Israeli statements come in direct response to a joint statement arranged by the United States on Friday that was signed by eight nations: Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey. These nations, working toward ending the war against Hamas in Gaza, expressed support for Washington's proposed International Stabilization Force.
According to the joint statement, the process "offers a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood". This formulation appears to go further than former U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan, which Jerusalem had previously approved, by not leaving Palestinian statehood up for debate.
Security Concerns and Military Strategy
Defence Minister Israel Katz outlined Israel's clear policy position on social media, stating "A Palestinian state will not be established". He detailed Israel's security approach, explaining that "Gaza will be demilitarized down to the last tunnel, and Hamas will be disarmed".
Katz specified that this disarmament would occur in two areas: the "yellow area" (slightly over 50% of Gaza's territory where Israeli forces withdrew as part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire) by the IDF, and in "old Gaza" by either an international force or the IDF.
Jerusalem's top diplomat also noted that Israeli Defence Forces are working to destroy three Iran-backed terrorist entities: Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen. Additionally, Katz confirmed that IDF soldiers would maintain positions on Mount Hermon and in the security zone in Syria to protect Israel's northern border following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024.
The unified rejection from Israel's leadership signals significant challenges ahead for international diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict and establish a framework for lasting peace in the region.
