Israeli Cabinet Unanimously Rejects ‘International Diktats’ on Palestinian State

The declaration came amid reports that the US is preparing an outline for a future peace deal that would include a timeline for a Palestinian state

Israel’s cabinet on Sunday unanimously approved a declaration rejecting “international diktats” on a future Palestinian state amid reports the US is preparing to unveil an outline for a potential peace deal that includes establishing a timeline for a two-state solution.

“Israel utterly rejects international diktats regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians. A settlement, if it is to be reached, will come about solely through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions,” the declaration said, according to The Times of Israel.

“Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Such recognition in the wake of the October 7th massacre would be a massive and unprecedented reward to terrorism and would foil any future peace settlement,” it added.

US officials have previously portrayed opposition to a future Palestinian state as unique among Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a handful of extremist settler Israeli ministers. But the declaration was approved by all ministers, including Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot of the National Unity party, who are members of the emergency war cabinet and considered centrists in Israeli politics.

In response to the cabinet’s decision, a US State Department spokesperson said the US still supported the idea of a future Palestinian state. “The best way to achieve an enduring end to the crisis in Gaza that provides lasting peace and security, for Israelis and Palestinians alike, is our strong commitment to the creation of a Palestinian state,” the spokesperson said.

Netanyahu has vowed that there will never be a two-state solution as long as he’s in power and has bragged that it’s thanks to him there is no Palestinian state. “I will not compromise on full Israeli security control over the entire area in the west of Jordan – and this is contrary to a Palestinian state,” he said in January after a call with President Biden.

“My insistence is what has prevented — over the years — the establishment of a Palestinian state that would have constituted an existential danger to Israel. As long as I am prime minister, I will continue to strongly insist on this,” he added.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.