Host Crisis - Israel's Parliament votes against Palestinian state
Israel's Parliament opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state once again. A majority of the Members of Knesset voted for a resolution rejecting statehood, as the parliament announced. Among those in favor were reportedly the parties of the right-religious coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the opposition party of Benny Gantz, which, according to polls, would be the strongest party in upcoming elections and would receive the most seats in the parliament. Gantz was until recently a member of the now disbanded war cabinet.
"The establishment of a Palestinian state in the heart of the country Israel would represent an existential threat to the State of Israel and its citizens," the resolution stated. "It is only a matter of a short time before Hamas takes over the Palestinian state and turns it into a radical Islamic terrorist base." This would work towards destroying the State of Israel.
US Democrats push for a Two-State Solution
68 of the 120 Members of Knesset voted for the resolution, nine members of Arab parties against it. The rest were absent or abstained. The liberal Future Party of Opposition Leader Yair Lapid reportedly did not vote against it. Lapid is known as a supporter of a Two-State Solution. This means that an independent, democratic and peaceful Palestinian state would exist alongside Israel.
Netanyahu himself was not present for the vote, according to the "Jerusalem Post". The vote confirmed the parliament's previous stance and had no concrete consequences, but it could be perceived as a provocation just before Netanyahu's visit to the USA, the newspaper "The Times of Israel" wrote. Netanyahu is scheduled to give a speech before the US Congress on the Gaza War on July 24.
The parliament had already spoken out against a "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state in February. At the time, media reported that the USA and other alliance partners could recognize a Palestinian state without Israeli approval. Germany and the USA have emphasized that a Palestinian state must be agreed upon in peace negotiations with Israel. However, these negotiations have been at a standstill for over a decade.
- Despite the United States Democrats pushing for a Two-State Solution, Israel's Parliament, including Benny Gantz's opposition party, voted against the establishment of a Palestinian state.
- This action by the Parliament, led by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, was perceived as a provocation before Netanyahu's visit to the United States.
- The parliamentary resolution stated that the establishment of a Palestinian state would pose an existential threat to Israel, potentially turning into a radical Islamic terrorist base under Hamas control.
- Yair Lapid's liberal Future Party, known for supporting a Two-State Solution, did not vote against the resolution, choosing to abstain instead.
- In February, the Parliament had also spoken out against a "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state, aligning with the United States and Germany's stance that a Palestinian state should be agreed upon through peace negotiations with Israel.
- The ongoing conflicts between Israel and Palestine in the Palestinian territories remain unresolved, with negotiations being at a standstill for over a decade.
