Israeli government opposes Palestinian state ahead of UN vote

The Israeli government continues to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state, according to France 24 via AFP and AP on November 16th.

On November 17th, the UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution backing a US-drafted peace plan for Gaza that would potentially allow for the creation of a Palestinian state; the resolution would be a follow-up to the US-backed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which came into effect on October 10th.

At a cabinet meeting on November 16th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s objection to a Palestinian state, saying that his government’s “opposition to a Palestinian state on any territory has not changed.”

Western nations, including the UK, formally recognised a Palestinian state on September 21st, in response to which Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement that said: “Israel categorically rejects the unilateral declaration of recognition of a Palestinian state made by the United Kingdom and other countries. This declaration does not promote peace; on the contrary, it further destabilises the region and compromises the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future.”

Israel’s rejection of Palestinian statehood is allegedly based on concerns that the plan would reward Hamas, a sentiment echoed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, this claim has been dismissed by the UK government.

Furthermore, the Israeli government has declared its intention to go ahead with the expansion of Israeli settlements across the Occupied West Bank. The plan would deliver over 3,400 new homes and effectively split the West Bank into two, threatening the likelihood of a territorially contiguous Palestinian state.

During a visit to the Ma’ale Adumim settlement on September 11th, Netanyahu declared: “There will be no Palestinian state. This place belongs to us.”

His declaration was met with support from the settlement’s inhabitants, with one resident named Eda saying: “We must do everything we can to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state, because they don’t want us, wherever we are. We know they don’t want peace. We already tried. Now we have to build and get on with our lives.”

Netanyahu’s declaration was also approved by settlement resident Dany Hadar, who said the settlement expansion “should have been carried out at least ten years ago.”

It is estimated that over 700,000 Israelis live in approximately 160 illegal settlements across the West Bank and Occupied East Jerusalem, with settlers reportedly aiming to displace Palestinian inhabitants through various means, including the destruction of property and the sabotage of water supplies.

France 24 via AFP and AP, Maghrebi.org