From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Right-wing MKs from coalition, opposition aim to pass resolution against Palestinian state ahead of PM’s speech to Congress
A group of lawmakers from both the coalition and the opposition are advancing a resolution expressing opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, which they aim to pass ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington to address a joint session of Congress.
The Knesset already passed a resolution opposing the establishment of a Palestinian state earlier this year, but Netanyahu was careful to ensure that the initiative specified that the opposition was only to the unilateral creation of a Palestinian state outside of negotiations with Israel, amid unconfirmed reports that the US was considering unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian state.
This new resolution would offer more absolute opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state in what would likely harm Netanyahu’s efforts to maintain some diplomatic flexibility in his dealings with the Biden administration and the international community, which support a two-state solution.
The resolution is being pushed by Yisrael Beytenu chair Avigdor Liberman, New Hope chair Gideon Sa’ar and New Hope MK Ze’ev Elkin from the opposition and Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman and Likud MK Yuli Edelstein from the coalition, Channel 12 reports.
The network adds that 61 MKs in the Knesset from both the coalition and opposition have already signed onto the resolution in what would allow it to be passed before the end of the summer parliamentary session on July 28.
Netanyahu is slated to give his speech to Congress on July 24.
The resolution states that the “State of Israel strongly opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state west of Jordan, which would pose an existential threat to Israel,” according to Channel 12.
Such a state would extend the conflict with the Palestinians and destabilize the region, the lawmakers claim in the resolution, adding that it would only be a matter of time before Hamas takes over this new Palestinian state and turn it into a base for radical Islamic terror backed by Iran.
The Times of Israel Community.