The Israeli parliament formally voted against a two-state solution on Wednesday, a historic vote that comes amid growing international calls for a Palestinian state as the war in Gaza continues. The resolution was passed by the Israeli parliament by an overwhelming 68-9 vote, but many of the 120-member parliament were absent from the session to ensure such a critical issue was not on the record. Barak Ravid, a journalist who covers Middle East politics, said: Said It is the “first time in history” that the Knesset has passed such a resolution.
BREAKING: The Israeli Knesset has passed a resolution opposing the two-state solution. 68 Knesset members (including Benny Gantz and his party) voted in favor. Only 9 Knesset members voted against it. This is the first time in history that the Knesset has passed such a resolution.
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) July 17, 2024
The resolution says a Palestinian state would endanger Israel’s existence.
“The Israeli Knesset firmly opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state in western Jordan,” the resolution states. Israel“The establishment of a Palestinian state in the heart of the Land of Israel would pose an existential danger to the State of Israel and its people, perpetuate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and destabilize the region.”
The resolution states that if a Palestinian state is established, “it will be only a matter of time before Hamas, in coordination with the Iranian-led axis, hijacks it and turns it into a radical Islamic terrorist stronghold in an effort to eliminate the State of Israel.”
“Promoting a Palestinian state will only reward terrorism and embolden Hamas and its supporters. They will see this as a victory for the October 7, 2023 massacre and a precursor to an Islamic jihadist takeover of the Middle East.”
President Biden supports a two-state solution, something Republican nominee Donald Trump also supported as president this year. Said The situation on the ground is changing and “it’s going to be very tough for the two nations.”
Knesset member Gideon Sa’ar said: Said His hope is that the resolution will “demonstrate to the international community that pressure to impose a Palestinian state on Israel is futile.”
David Friedman, who served as ambassador to Israel under Trump, praised the resolution.
“Israel knows best its own interests and what can and cannot be achieved,” Friedman said. I have written X (formerly Twitter): “In this case, Israel has recognized the obvious: there can be no two-state solution.”
Israel knows best what its interests are, what it can and cannot achieve, and in this case, it has recognized the obvious: there can be no two-state solution.
Days before PM’s US visit, Knesset overwhelmingly votes against Palestinian statehood https://t.co/QUw83jeLi6 via…
— David M. Friedman (@DavidM_Friedman) July 18, 2024
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Amir Levy/Stringer
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
