Netanyahu Vows to Block Palestinian State Ahead of UN Vote
On the eve of a crucial United Nations Security Council vote on a U.S.-backed resolution regarding Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that there would be “no Palestinian state” under his government’s watch. He argued that such a state would empower Hamas and threaten Israel’s security, even as the resolution under discussion leaves open the possibility of Palestinian independence.
Clash with International Pressure
Netanyahu’s comments come amid mounting international pressure on Israel to engage in steps toward Palestinian self-determination. The U.S. draft resolution proposes a stabilisation force in Gaza and hints at a pathway to statehood, prompting Israeli opposition. Netanyahu emphasised that Israel’s stance has “not changed one bit”, rejecting any effort to establish a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River.
Implications for Peace Prospects
The announcement makes a two-state solution, long-proposed as the practical resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, appear increasingly distant. With Israel rejecting statehood and global support for Palestinian independence rising, the geopolitical divide deepens. The upcoming UN vote now takes on added significance as a measure of international will versus Israeli intransigence.
