The Knesset on Wednesday passed a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state with an overwhelming majority of 68-9. The resolution, co-sponsored by parties across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition and right-wing opposition parties, as well as Benny Gantz’s National Unity party, emphasizes that a Palestinian state would pose an existential danger to Israel and perpetuate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The resolution’s passage comes just days before Netanyahu’s visit to the US, where he will address a joint session of Congress and meet with President Joe Biden. The move is expected to further irk Democrats, who have grown increasingly uncomfortable with the Israeli government’s shift away from a two-state solution.

The resolution states that the establishment of a Palestinian state, even as part of a negotiated settlement, would lead to Hamas taking over and creating a radical Islamic terror base, threatening Israel’s existence and regional stability. It also argues that promoting Palestinian statehood would reward terrorism and encourage jihadist Islam’s expansion in the Middle East.

Only lawmakers from the Labor, Ra’am, and Hadash-Ta’al parties opposed the resolution, while Yesh Atid party members abstained, despite their chairman Yair Lapid’s previous support for a two-state solution. This move highlights the growing divisions within Israel’s political landscape on the issue of Palestinian statehood.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)