The decision confirms the parliament’s previous position. However, it could anger the Democrats there shortly before Netanyahu’s visit to the USA.
Israel’s parliament has once again spoken out against the establishment of a Palestinian state. The majority of MPs voted for a resolution rejecting the establishment of a state, the parliament announced. According to the information, these included the parties of the right-wing religious coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as the opposition party of Benny Gantz, which, according to polls, will become the strongest party in new elections and will get the most seats in parliament. Until just under six weeks ago, Gantz was a member of the now-dissolved war cabinet along with other moderate politicians.
“The establishment of a Palestinian state in the heart of the land of Israel would pose an existential threat to the State of Israel and its citizens,” the resolution said. “It will only be a matter of time before Hamas takes over the Palestinian state and turns it into a radical Islamic terror base.” It will work to destroy the State of Israel.
68 of the 120 MPs voted for the resolution, while nine members of Arab parties voted against. The rest were absent or abstained. For example, the liberal Future Party of opposition leader Jair Lapid reportedly did not vote. Lapid is considered a supporter of a two-state solution. This means that an independent, democratic and peaceful Palestinian state exists alongside Israel.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu himself was not present at the vote. The vote confirmed the parliament’s previous position and has no concrete consequences, but could be seen as a provocation shortly before Netanyahu’s visit to the USA. The move is likely to anger the US Democrats, who are calling for a two-state solution, wrote the Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel. Netanyahu is scheduled to give a speech to the US Congress on the Gaza war on July 24.
A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sharply criticized the result of the vote. Without the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, there will be no security or peace for anyone, he warned.
Back in February, parliament had already spoken out against “unilateral recognition” of a Palestinian state. Media had reported at the time that the USA and other allies could recognize a Palestinian state without Israeli consent. Germany and the USA have so far stressed that a Palestinian state must be agreed upon as part of peace negotiations with Israel. However, these have been dormant for a decade.
