Netanyahu reaffirms opposition to Palestinian state amid far-right pressure

• Netanyahu reaffirms 'Israel’s' opposition to a Palestinian state amid far-right pressure.
• US and Muslim-majority nations back a UN draft supporting Trump’s Gaza peace plan.
• Far-right ministers threatened coalition instability if Netanyahu did not denounce Palestinian statehood.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reiterated that 'Israel' remains opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state, following protests from far-right coalition members over a US-backed draft UN resolution suggesting a pathway to Palestinian independence.

Netanyahu’s comments came two days after the United States and several Muslim-majority countries endorsed a draft resolution supporting President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. The 15-member UN Security Council began negotiating the resolution on November 7, which would create a “Board of Peace” transitional authority in Gaza to oversee reconstruction and economic recovery after years of conflict.

Trump’s 20-point plan includes a provision stating that if reforms are implemented within the Palestinian Authority, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognise as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.” The clause drew strong opposition from 'Israeli' far-right leaders who had resisted the October ceasefire in Gaza, putting Netanyahu’s fragile coalition of conservatives and ultra-nationalists under strain.

On Saturday, far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich publicly urged Netanyahu to denounce the idea of a Palestinian state. Ben-Gvir threatened to leave the coalition if Netanyahu failed to act.

In response, the Prime Minister stated, “Our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory has not changed. Gaza will be demilitarised and Hamas will be disarmed, the easy way or the hard way. I do not need affirmations, tweets or lectures from anyone.”

'Israeli' Defence Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also posted statements opposing a Palestinian state, without directly mentioning Netanyahu. Political analysts warned that a far-right walkout could destabilize Netanyahu’s government well before the next elections, scheduled by October 2026.

Despite international moves to recognize Palestinian statehood, including by France, Netanyahu has largely refrained from taking formal diplomatic steps on the issue, prompting criticism from far-right allies. Smotrich accused the Prime Minister of political silence, stating, “Two months have passed in which you have chosen silence and political disgrace. Make clear to the entire world that a Palestinian state will never arise on the lands of our homeland.”