Netanyahu insists Israel will ‘forcibly resist’ Palestinian statehood
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out recognising a Palestinian state, insisting Israel will “forcibly resist” such a move despite a new US-backed peace plan that leaves the door open to Palestinian self-determination.
In a video posted on his Telegram channel after meeting Donald Trump at the White House, Netanyahu was asked if he had agreed to a Palestinian state. He replied: “No, absolutely not.”
He stressed there was no clause on statehood in the 20-point plan presented by the former US president, saying: “Israel will forcibly resist statehood.”
The Israeli leader also rejected calls for a withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza. “They keep saying, ‘You must accept Hamas’ conditions. Take them all out. The IDF needs to get out and Hamas can recover and can even rehabilitate the Strip,’” he said. “It’s not happening.”
Netanyahu added that Trump pledged full US support if Hamas rejects the plan. “Complete the military operation to eliminate Hamas. And so I think from every side it was an excellent visit,” he said.
The remarks came as Palestinians voiced anger over the proposal. Clause 19 of Trump’s plan states that “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” once Gaza’s redevelopment and reforms in the Palestinian Authority are achieved.
But Palestinian voices dismissed the initiative. Ibrahim Arafat told Reuters the plan “abolishes the Palestinian state,” calling it “a new colonialism.”
Hamas confirmed it is reviewing the US proposal. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said a Hamas delegation had promised to “study it responsibly,” adding that Doha will hold talks with Hamas negotiators and Turkish officials later today.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu shared footage of his White House visit, including a message he inscribed for Trump: “To President Donald Trump, [Unquestionably] the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House – by a long shot!”