Netanyahu publicly rejects US push for Palestinian state
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear to the United States that he rejects the idea of establishing a Palestinian state after the Gaza conflict ends. In a defiant news conference, Netanyahu pledged to continue the offensive in Gaza until achieving “complete victory,” which he defined as the destruction of Hamas and the safe return of all remaining Israeli hostages. He emphasised that this process might take “many more months.”
The ongoing offensive has resulted in a significant toll, with nearly 25,000 Palestinians reported killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and 85% of the Strip’s population displaced. International pressure, including calls from Israel’s allies and some adversaries, has been mounting for Israel to scale back its offensive and engage in meaningful talks for a sustainable resolution to the war.
Many, including the US, advocate for reviving the “two-state solution,” envisioning a future where a Palestinian state coexists with Israel. Despite these calls for diplomacy, Netanyahu’s comments suggest that he is leaning towards a different approach.
Earlier on Thursday, Netanyahu said Israel must have security control over all land west of the River Jordan, which would include the territory of any future Palestinian state.
“This is a necessary condition, and it conflicts with the idea of (Palestinian) sovereignty. What to do? I tell this truth to our American friends, and I also stopped the attempt to impose a reality on us that would harm Israel’s security,” he said.