Jerusalem — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Sunday that his government remains firmly opposed to a Palestinian state, as far-right coalition partners intensify pressure following a U.S.-backed United Nations draft resolution that suggests a route toward Palestinian independence.
The backlash centers on a U.S.-sponsored draft U.N. Security Council resolution endorsing former President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan. The plan envisages a “Board of Peace” to help administer Gaza’s reconstruction, and includes a clause saying that if the Palestinian Authority undergoes reforms, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
Far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, key members of Netanyahu’s coalition, publicly demanded that the prime minister reject any suggestion of statehood — with Ben-Gvir threatening to pull his support if Netanyahu fails to act.
In response, Netanyahu issued a forceful statement: “Our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory has not changed. Gaza will be demilitarised and Hamas will be disarmed, the easy way or the hard way. I do not need affirmations, tweets or lectures from anyone.
Senior cabinet members echoed his defiance. Defence Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also took to X (formerly Twitter) to reject statehood, though they notably did not reference Netanyahu directly in their posts.
Political analysts warn that the far-right’s hard line could threaten the stability of Netanyahu’s government. With new elections due by October 2026, any walkout by Ben-Gvir and Smotrich could undermine his fragile right-wing coalition.