Jpost
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s opposition to a Palestinian state during his opening remarks at the Sunday government meeting.
The meeting included discussions with ministers on the issue of a Palestinian state. Ron Dermer took part in the meeting, despite his resignation from his role as strategic affairs minister last week.
The statements came after a recent wave of remarks from politicians and far-right lawmakers, calling on Netanyahu to clarify Israel’s stance regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state.
‘A Palestinian state and our opposition to a Palestinian state remains firm and unchanged,’ Netanyahu said at the meeting.
‘I have been pushing back against these attempts for decades, doing so in the face of pressure from abroad and from home, so I do not need reinforcements, tweets, or lectures from anyone,’ he added.
Netanyahu also expressed that Gaza will be demilitarized and that Hamas will be eliminated.
He said there ‘will be no such thing’ as lack of demilitarization in the part of Gaza still held by Hamas.
‘In the 20-point plan and in every other framework, that [Gaza] area will be demilitarized and Hamas will be dismantled, either the easy way or the hard way,’ Netanyahu said, adding that US President Donald Trump has expressed the same sentiments.
Various countries recognize Palestinian statehood
Netanyahu’s remarks came after various references regarding a Palestinian state arose last week.
On Friday, the US, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey issued a joint statement expressing support for a US-drafted UN Security Council resolution under consideration that would ‘offer a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
Additionally, a Palestinian state was mentioned in a UN Security Council draft from Thursday, discussing the International Security Force that is meant to govern Gaza.