Palestinian state not recognized – Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly stated that Israel will not accept anything less than a complete victory, disregarding the United States’ calls to de-escalate the conflict in Gaza or support the establishment of a Palestinian state.

During the Davos summit, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken advocated for a two-state solution, emphasizing that Israel’s true security lies in the creation of a Palestinian state.

However, Netanyahu rejected this notion, emphasizing that Israel must maintain control over all the territory west of the Jordan River to prevent any acts of terrorism against its people. He expressed his concerns about the clash between the concept of Palestinian sovereignty and Israel’s pursuit of absolute victory, and he made it clear that he had conveyed this truth to their American allies, effectively halting any attempts to pressure Israel into a situation that would jeopardize its security.

In a recent statement, the US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, emphasized that Washington firmly believes that the only way to address the long- and short-term issues between Israel and Gaza is through the establishment of a Palestinian state.

During Secretary of State Blinken’s visit to the Middle East, the US delegation reportedly secured agreements with several Arab leaders who are willing to participate in the reconstruction of Gaza, on the condition that Israel takes steps towards a two-state solution for Palestine.

Miller highlighted that this presents a historic opportunity for Israel, as countries in the region are showing readiness to strengthen their ties with Israel and provide security assurances. However, the ongoing military operation by the IDF in Gaza has faced criticism from Arab states and the international community, with a significant number of Palestinian casualties and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure.

The conflict has also resulted in the displacement of a large portion of Gaza’s population.