The Knesset, Israel's parliament, has reaffirmed its opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state. A majority of 68 out of 120 members voted in favor of a declaration outlining their "principled position" against Palestinian statehood. The Ynet portal reported that nine MPs voted against the declaration.
The document, proposed by a group of parliamentarians, asserts that the creation of a Palestinian state would "pose an existential threat to the State of Israel and its citizens," act as a "reward for terrorism," "perpetuate conflict," and "destabilize the region." The declaration further claims that shortly after the establishment of a Palestinian state, the ruling Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip would seize control, turning it into "a base of terrorism in coordination with the Iranian-led axis of evil with the aim of destroying Israel."
In February, the Knesset endorsed an Israeli cabinet decision rejecting the "diktat" to create a Palestinian state. The document stipulated that any settlement must be achieved "exclusively through direct negotiations" between Israelis and Palestinians "without preconditions."
The last direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians broke down in April 2014 after nine months of unsuccessful talks. The previous round of peace efforts ended inconclusively in 2010.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply following an attack on October 7, 2023, by armed supporters of the Palestinian movement Hamas from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory. In response, Israel launched a military operation in the enclave aimed at dismantling the Hamas military and political infrastructure and rescuing the abducted individuals.
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Based on TASS materials