Rebutting Biden again, Israeli cabinet unanimously reject Palestinian statehood
Israeli cabinet unanimously approved a declaration strongly opposing any plan for Palestinian statehood, the Times of Israel reported.
This comes in the wake of reports that the US and several Arab partners were preparing a detailed plan for a comprehensive peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians that includes a «firm timeline» for a Palestinian state.
«Israel utterly rejects international diktats regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians,» the cabinet decision read. «A settlement, if it is to be reached, will come about solely through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions.»
«Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state,» the motion added. «Such recognition in the wake of the October 7 massacre would be a massive and unprecedented reward to terrorism and would foil any future peace settlement.»
Responding to this, a US State Department spokesperson said that the best way to achieve an enduring end to the crisis in Gaza that provides «lasting peace and security» for Israelis and Palestinians alike, is our strong commitment to the «creation of a Palestinian state,» Times of Israel reported.
«As such, the US continues to support the two-state solution and to oppose policies that endanger its viability or contradict our mutual interests and values,» it added.
The Israeli cabinet statement echoed comments made by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in response to a Washington Post report
