Netanyahu Reaffirms Opposition to Palestinian State Amid Far-Right Pressure

Jerusalem, Nov 17, 2025 – Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again firmly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, responding to mounting pressure from far-right coalition allies angered by a U.S.-backed draft U.N. resolution that suggested a pathway to Palestinian independence.

The statement comes just days after the U.N. Security Council began deliberations on a draft resolution supporting President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. The plan includes a transitional “Board of Peace” administration for Gaza, aimed at reconstruction and economic recovery, and stipulates that reforms within the Palestinian Authority could eventually pave the way for Palestinian self-determination.

While the proposal received backing from key U.S. allies and several Muslim-majority nations, it infuriated Israeli far-right leaders. Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich had demanded Netanyahu publicly denounce the idea of Palestinian statehood, with Ben-Gvir even threatening to leave the coalition if he failed to act.

Netanyahu responded on Sunday, stating: “Our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory has not changed. Gaza will be demilitarized and Hamas will be disarmed, the easy way or the hard way. I do not need affirmations, tweets or lectures from anyone.”

The remarks were echoed by other senior ministers, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who issued statements against Palestinian statehood without directly mentioning Netanyahu. The far-right pressure highlights potential risks to Netanyahu’s governing coalition, as a walkout could destabilize his government months ahead of the next election, due by October 2026.

Netanyahu had previously endorsed Trump’s Gaza plan during a White House visit in September but had remained largely silent on the Palestinian statehood issue until now. Far-right ministers criticized him for inaction, accusing him of political indecision and urging him to clearly declare that a Palestinian state would never emerge on Israeli territory.

The Gaza conflict, reignited by Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in over 69,000 deaths and widespread devastation across the Palestinian enclave. A ceasefire was implemented on October 10, 2025, though sporadic outbreaks of violence have continued.

Analysts note that the renewed debate over Palestinian statehood underscores the fragility of Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition and the ongoing challenges in the Middle East peace process. The issue also carries broader international implications, as Israel navigates pressure from the U.S., European allies, and Muslim-majority nations advocating for a two-state solution.

As Netanyahu and his cabinet maintain a firm stance against Palestinian independence, regional tensions remain high, and the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations continues to hang in a delicate balance.

Keywords: Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian statehood, Gaza conflict, U.N. Security Council, Israel politics, far-right coalition, Trump Gaza plan, Middle East peace, Hamas, Israel-Palestine.