Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has reiterated his commitment to disarming Gaza—and his opposition to a Palestinian state.
As reported by Israeli public broadcaster Kan, Netanyahu vowed Hamas will be disarmed. This declaration was backed by Defense Minister Israel Katz, who on Sunday, November 16, told a cabinet meeting
Gaza will be demilitarized down to the last tunnel, and Hamas will be disarmed…. Gaza is to be disarmed, no matter what the next step is. I have said that to everyone, even Trump, and I will say it again. Additionally, our opposition to a Palestinian state anywhere west of the Jordan River has not changed one bit.
Both politicians are concerned about potential backsliding on President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, with a potential rush to start Gaza reconstruction before the Hamas terror group is fully disarmed.
The remarks came prior to Monday’s scheduled UN Security Council vote on a draft resolution to enshrine US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive Gaza plan, which some United Nations member states see fit to link to the cause of Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu remains defiant, stating
Our opposition to a Palestinian state anywhere west of the Jordan River exists, is firm, and has not changed whatsoever …. I have been pushing back against these attempts for decades, and I do so against external pressure and internal pressure as well…. I don’t need reinforcement, tweets, or lectures from anyone.
One practical reason why Israel opposes the latest demands for Palestinian statehood is that, to date, the Palestinian Authority has shown itself to be completely unfit to govern.
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