From the Liveblog of
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Cabinet unanimously okays declaration rejecting unilateral recognition of Palestinian state
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Israel’s cabinet unanimously approves a declaration rejecting “international diktats” seeking to push Palestinian statehood.
“Israel categorically rejects international diktats around a permanent settlement with the Palestinians,” reads the cabinet decision. “A settlement, if it is achieved, will come about only through direct negotiations between the sides, with no preconditions.”
“Israel will continue to oppose a unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state,” the decision continues. After October 7, such a move would be a “massive, unprecedented prize for terror” that would prevent any future peace deal, it adds.
The decision reflects statements made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference last night, in the wake of a Washington Post report that said 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.
