Israel’s Knesset passes resolution rejecting Palestinian statehood

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, passed a resolution on Wednesday (17 July) rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The resolution garnered significant support, with 68 votes in favor and just nine against, according to Israeli media reports.

The resolution was co-sponsored by parties within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, alongside right-wing opposition parties, and even received backing from Benny Gantz’s centrist National Unity party.

Notably, lawmakers from Opposition Leader Yair Lapid’s center-left Yesh Atid party chose to leave the plenum rather than vote, despite Lapid’s previous support for a two-state solution.

The only opposition came from members of the Labor, Ra’am, and Hadash-Ta’al parties.

This recent decision is consistent with the Knesset’s historical stance against Palestinian statehood.

In February, the Knesset passed a similar resolution that specifically addressed the unilateral creation of a Palestinian state without Israel’s consent.

However, the latest measure takes a more stringent position, outright rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state.

“The Knesset of Israel firmly opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state west of Jordan. The establishment of a Palestinian state in the heart of the Land of Israel will pose an existential danger to the State of Israel and its citizens, perpetuate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and destabilize the region,” the resolution stated.

It further warned that a Palestinian state could quickly fall under Hamas control, becoming a base for radical Islamic terrorism aligned with Iranian interests against Israel.

The resolution argued that promoting Palestinian statehood would reward terrorism, encouraging groups like Hamas, especially in the wake of the deadly 7 October 2023 attack.

This vote precedes Netanyahu’s upcoming address to the United States Congress in Washington, DC, a visit that has already stirred controversy among Democratic lawmakers critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The two-state solution is a proposed resolution to the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine. So far, 147 countries, including Norway, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia, have recognized the state of Palestine.

International and Palestinian leaders condemn Israel’s rejection of Palestinian statehood

The resolution has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders and international officials.

Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, criticized the resolution, stating, “No Zionist party from both the government and the opposition voted against the resolution.”

He added on social media platform X, “This resolution represents a rejection of peace with Palestinians and an official declaration of the death of [the] Oslo agreement.”

The Israeli kneset voted with absolute majority against the establishment of a Palestinian State . No zionist party from both the government and the opposition voted against the resolution.
This resolution represents a rejection of peace with Palestinians and an official…

— Mustafa Barghouti @Mustafa_Barghouti (@MustafaBarghou1) July 18, 2024

Hussein al-Sheikh, a Palestinian Authority official, also condemned the decision, stating it “confirms the racism of the occupying state and its disregard for international law and international legitimacy, and its insistence on the approach and policy of perpetuating the occupation forever.”

The Israeli Knesset’s decision yesterday, with a majority of 68 votes, to exclude and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state and consider its establishment an existential threat to Israel, confirms the racism of the occupying state and its disregard for international… https://t.co/SnY8XyoVyZ

— حسين الشيخ Hussein AlSheikh (@HusseinSheikhpl) July 18, 2024

International reaction to the resolution has been critical as well.

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs labelled the decision a “dangerous” violation of international law.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Sufyan al-Qudah, emphasized that Israel’s ongoing efforts to deny Palestinians their right to an independent and sovereign state undermines regional security and peace.

“Israel’s continued efforts to deny the Palestinians’ inalienable right to their independent and sovereign state along the lines of 4 June 1967, with occupied Jerusalem as its capital, does not bring security and peace in the region.”

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also weighed in on the issue, stating that Israel’s policy in the occupied West Bank is undermining any prospect of a two-state solution.

“Recent developments are driving a stake through the heart of any prospect for a two-state solution,” Guterres said through his chief of staff, Courtenay Rattray, at a UN Security Council meeting.

He urged an immediate halt to all settlement activity, labeling it a “flagrant violation of international law and an obstacle to peace with Palestinians.”