Jerusalem, July 18 (EFE).- The Knesset, or the Israeli parliament, voted early Thursday against the establishment of a Palestinian state, amid a growing debate in the international community over the war in the Gaza Strip.
The resolution was co-sponsored by parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition together with right-wing parties from the opposition.
The resolution was passed with 68 votes in favor and 9 against, altogether rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, even as part of a negotiated settlement with Israel.
“The establishment of a Palestinian state in the heart of the Land of Israel will pose an existential danger to the State of Israel and its citizens, perpetuate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and destabilize the region,” the resolution stated.
The resolution came days before Netanyahu’s scheduled visit to the United States to address a joint session of the Congress on Jul 22, and also meet with President Joe Biden.
The meeting with the US president, however, could be affected given that Biden recently tested positive for Covid-19.
Earlier in February, the Knesset adopted a resolution – proposed by Netanyahu -, rejecting the unilateral establishment of a Palestinian state in the face of statements by several countries considering recognizing a Palestinian State in the absence of a peace agreement with Israel.
Eight countries – Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Spain, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Armenia – have unilaterally recognized the Palestinian State in 2024, driven by the lack of a diplomatic solution to end the war in Gaza.
The recognition by the three EU countries – Spain, Ireland and Norway – caused much outrage in Israel, which summoned their ambassadors and strongly rebuked them for the move.
A total of 145 countries out of the 193 that are part of the United Nations have recognised the Palestinian state, a dozen of them belonging to the EU. EFE
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