Israel is actively pressing the United States to soften the wording of an American draft resolution ahead of a United Nations Security Council vote scheduled for Monday. The draft references “self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state,” prompting Israeli officials to make last-minute efforts to modify the language, according to Anadolu and Israeli media reports.
Senior aides from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and the Foreign Ministry have been in talks with U.S. representatives and Arab leaders to adjust the resolution, which concerns deploying a multinational force in the Gaza Strip. Israel considers the draft “dangerous,” warning that it could result in unpredictable outcomes, especially since the Palestinian Authority may not meet the requirements of Washington’s plan for Palestinian statehood, which calls for comprehensive reforms.
The U.S.-backed draft resolution is intended to stabilize Gaza under the ceasefire that has been in effect since October 10 between Israel and Hamas. It proposes that the multinational force work with Israel and Egypt to secure the area, replace Hamas governance structures, and support a trained Palestinian police force to maintain border security. According to the text, these measures could eventually create conditions for credible Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of a state once necessary reforms are implemented.
Despite Washington’s push, Israeli ministers—including Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir—have voiced opposition to establishing a Palestinian state, reflecting internal disagreements on the resolution. Israel’s stance emphasizes security concerns and skepticism over the Palestinian Authority’s readiness to implement the required reforms.
The ongoing debate underscores the diplomatic complexities surrounding Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While international actors seek to advance a political horizon for peaceful coexistence, Israel continues to advocate for modifications that align with its security priorities, highlighting the persistent tension between promoting Palestinian governance and ensuring regional stability.
Netanyahu Reaffirms Opposition to Palestinian Statehood
Hours before the United Nations Security Council was set to vote on a draft resolution referencing Palestinian statehood, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his firm opposition to any form of Palestinian statehood.
“My opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state has not changed and remains steadfast,” Netanyahu said at the opening of Sunday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, according to a statement from his office. He emphasized that Gaza must be “demilitarized” and that Hamas “will be dismantled,” highlighting Israel’s security concerns.
Netanyahu added that he has confronted such attempts for many years and continues to resist both internal and external pressure to recognize Palestinian sovereignty.
Despite these objections, several countries formally recognized Palestinian statehood during UN meetings in September, bringing the total to 160 of the UN’s 193 member states, according to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has had devastating consequences. Since October 2023, Israeli military operations have killed more than 69,000 people, predominantly women and children, and have left large portions of the territory in ruins.
Israel also continues to occupy Palestinian lands, as well as territories in Syria and Lebanon, and maintains its longstanding opposition to the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state on lands captured during the 1967 war.
This reaffirmation by Netanyahu underscores Israel’s continued resistance to Palestinian statehood and signals that diplomatic efforts at the UN will face significant hurdles, especially amid escalating tensions and humanitarian crises in the region.
