Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has overwhelmingly passed a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian statehood, Israeli media reported. The resolution, supported by 68 votes with only nine against, asserts that a Palestinian state would pose an “existential danger” to Israel, perpetuate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and destabilize the region.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, along with far-right parties, co-sponsored the resolution. Opposition leader Yair Lapid’s center-left party opted to abstain from the session despite previously supporting a two-state solution.
Mustafa Barghouti, from the Palestinian National Initiative, criticized the resolution, noting that no Zionist party opposed it, viewing it as a rejection of peace and an abandonment of the Oslo Accords. These agreements, initiated in 1993, aimed for a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel but have been challenged by Israeli policies such as settlement expansion in the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza.
Palestinian Authority official Hussein al-Sheikh condemned the Knesset’s decision on social media, calling it confirmation of Israel’s disregard for international law and the rights of Palestinians.
The resolution drew international criticism, with Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeling it a dangerous violation of international law and emphasizing that denying Palestinians their right to an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital undermines regional security and peace efforts.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also weighed in, condemning Israel’s settlement activities in the West Bank as a severe impediment to achieving a two-state solution and calling for an immediate halt to all settlement expansions.
The Knesset’s resolution marks a reaffirmation of its historical rejection of Palestinian statehood, contrasting with the growing number of countries that have recognized Palestinian statehood, including Spain, Slovenia, Norway, and Ireland.
The development comes amid heightened tensions, with Netanyahu scheduled to address the United States Congress, a move that has sparked divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel’s policies, particularly concerning Gaza.
Overall, the Knesset’s resolution underscores deep-seated divisions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the prospects for a peaceful resolution.