Speaking to his cabinet, Netanyahu said Israel's position has 'not changed one bit'.
'Our opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state on any land has not changed. I do not need affirmations, tweets, or lectures from anyone,' he added. Netanyahu has long argued that a Palestinian state would reward Hamas and could lead to a larger Hamas-run entity on Israel's borders.
The U.S. resolution proposes a U.N. mandate to establish an international stabilisation force in Gaza, following the ceasefire deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. Unlike previous drafts, it references a potential future Palestinian state, a prospect Netanyahu and his hard-line coalition partners reject.
Netanyahu also addressed the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza, saying, 'Either this will happen the easy way, or it will happen the hard way.' Hamas and Palestinian factions criticised the U.S. proposal, describing it as biased toward Israel and a violation of Palestinian self-governance, insisting any international force should operate under U.N. supervision without Israel's involvement.
International pressure on Netanyahu has grown following recent moves recognising Palestinian statehood. In September, the U.K., Australia, and Canada formally recognised Palestine, prompting Netanyahu to condemn the countries for offering what he called a 'prize' to Hamas.
Netanyahu also commented on rising violence in the West Bank, including attacks by Jewish settlers and clashes with Palestinians. He described the violence as the work of a small minority, though Palestinian officials and human rights groups report a broader pattern, including seven deaths in recent weeks.
Defence Minister Israel Katz reiterated Israel's position, stating, 'Israel's policy is clear: no Palestinian state will be established.' Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the government 'will not agree to the establishment of a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the Land of Israel,' while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir dismissed the Palestinian identity as an 'invention.'
The first phase of the U.S.-backed ceasefire deal has already seen the release of 20 surviving Israeli hostages and nearly all of the 28 deceased captives held by Palestinian militants. In return, Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and returned 330 bodies.
As the Security Council prepares to vote on Monday, Netanyahu's stance signals that Israel will not accept Palestinian statehood under any circumstances.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
