Israel on Sunday formalized its opposition to what it called “unilateral recognition” of Palestinian statehood and said any such agreement must be reached through direct negotiations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put the “declaratory decision” to a cabinet vote, which unanimously approved the measure, the statement said.
Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly meeting that the move followed “recent discussions in the international community about trying to unilaterally impose a Palestinian state on Israel.”
The war in Gaza, which has been raging since Hamas attacked Israeli communities on October 7, is the latest in a seven-decade conflict between Israelis and Palestinians that has destabilized the Middle East.
Efforts to reach a two-state solution – a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza alongside Israel – have been stalled since 2014.
US President Joe Biden is trying to reach an even broader deal in the Middle East, which would include Saudi Arabia and other Arab states to normalize relations with Israel, as well as create a Palestinian state.
An official Israeli statement, according to Netanyahu’s office, reflects the fact that: “Israel rejects direct international dictates regarding a permanent agreement with the Palestinians. An agreement, if reached, will only come through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions.”
“Israel will continue to oppose the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Such recognition in the wake of the October 7 massacre will award a huge and unprecedented reward to terrorism and prevent any future peace agreement,” it said.
