Israel's Netanyahu reaffirms opposition to a Palestinian state

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his firm opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, saying his position has “not changed one bit” despite growing international pressure.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday (November 16), Netanyahu said he had long rejected any plan to create a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River and would continue to do so.

“Our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory west of the Jordan River… is valid and has not changed one bit,” Netanyahu said. “I have been rebuffing these attempts for decades, against pressure from outside and within. I do not need affirmations, tweets, or lectures from anyone.”

Tensions Within the Coalition

Netanyahu’s remarks came after far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich urged him to publicly denounce Palestinian statehood, following a U.S.-backed statement that appeared to support a pathway toward it. The statement, endorsed by the U.S. and several Muslim-majority countries, supported a draft U.N. resolution aligned with President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which includes the possibility of Palestinian sovereignty under specific conditions.

The issue of Palestinian statehood has long been a dividing line within Israel’s government, particularly among Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition partners, who view any such move as a threat to national security.

Pledge to Disarm Hamas

Netanyahu also addressed the ongoing situation in Gaza, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring the territory remains demilitarised and that Hamas is disarmed.

“The issue of the alleged ‘non-demilitarisation’ of the part of Gaza that is in the hands of Hamas — there will be no such thing,” Netanyahu said. “This territory will be demilitarised, and Hamas will be disarmed. Either this will happen the easy way or the hard way.”

He cited former U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance as being consistent with Israel’s position, underscoring that any post-conflict arrangement in Gaza must guarantee that Hamas no longer poses a military threat.

Crackdown on Settler Violence

The prime minister also condemned recent violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank, promising decisive action.

“These riots, both against Palestinians and against IDF soldiers, will be dealt with full force because we are a state of law,” he said. “A minority that engages in this violence does not represent the large public of settlers who are law-abiding and loyal to the state.”

The remarks come amid a spike in settler violence during the olive harvest season, which has further strained relations in the West Bank.

A Balancing Act

Netanyahu’s statements highlight the delicate balance his government faces between domestic political pressures and international expectations. While his far-right coalition demands a harder line against Palestinians, international partners — including the U.S. — continue to push for a diplomatic framework that could eventually lead to a two-state solution.

As tensions persist in both Gaza and the West Bank, Netanyahu’s reaffirmation of long-standing policies signals that Israel’s position on Palestinian statehood and security remains unchanged, even as global and regional pressures intensify.

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