Israeli government ‘opposes unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government approved a declaration pushing back against growing international calls to establish a Palestinian state as soon as possible. 

He presented the declaration for the cabinet, which was approved unanimously.

“Israel absolutely rejects international diktat regarding the permanent arrangement with the Palestinians,” the declaration said. “Such an arrangement will be achieved only by direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions. Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.

“Such recognition, following the October 7 massacre, will award an immense and unprecedented prize to terrorism, and prevent any future peace agreement,” it added.

The cabinet decision comes as the international community, led by the United States, has called on the establishment of a Palestinian state to end the war between Israel and Hamas.

Foreign secretary David Cameron said earlier this month that UK could recognise a Palestinian state after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, but that the recognition “can’t come at the start of the process, but it doesn’t have to be the very end of the process.”

The U.S. has been more cautious in its rhetoric, while still insisting that a two-state solution is the only way to end decades of war between Israel and the Palestinians.

Jack Lew, U.S. ambassador to Israel, said on Sunday that if the normalisation conversation with Saudi Arabia is to be achieved, “there must be an over the horizon process that includes a vision for a demilitarised Palestinian state”.

“Discussing this is a huge challenge for a nation still in a state of trauma, and it is important to remember that Hamas aimed to derail this very conversation on October 7 – and normalisation of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia would be a major defeat for Hamas,” he added.

Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the idea of a Palestinian state since October 7, insisting it would be a “reward” for terrorism.