Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to oppose any recognition of a Palestinian state, ahead of a United Nations Security Council vote on a U.S.-backed proposal. The move comes in the aftermath of a ceasefire in Gaza, as the U.S. seeks to present its resolution aimed at stabilizing the region.
Netanyahu has long argued that the creation of a Palestinian state would benefit Hamas and potentially lead to the establishment of a larger, Hamas-controlled entity along Israel’s borders. Despite growing international pressure to show flexibility, Netanyahu remains firm in his stance, emphasizing that Israel will not support Palestinian statehood under any circumstances.
The U.S. proposal, expected to come up for a Security Council vote, seeks to deploy an international stabilization force in Gaza—even amid opposition from Russia, China, and certain Arab nations. Hamas and other Palestinian factions have criticized the plan, labeling it an attempt to impose an international mandate over Gaza that favors Israel and strips Palestinians of their right to self-governance. They insist that Israel should not be part of the force, which must operate under direct UN oversight.
The American resolution also calls for demilitarization of Gaza and disarming of Hamas—a point Netanyahu highlighted on Sunday, instructing his cabinet that this will happen “either the easy way or the hard way.” He reiterated that Israel’s opposition to Palestinian statehood remains unchanged and is not subject to internal or external pressures, stating: “I don’t need anyone’s confirmation, tweet, or speech.”
