Fully independent Palestinian state would pose threat to Israel – Netanyahu

The PM has rejected a two-state solution as the war in Gaza enters its 21st month

Militant groups would use a fully independent Palestinian state to undermine security, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

A reporter asked Trump during a dinner with Netanyahu on Monday whether an independent Palestinian state was possible. “I don’t know,” Trump replied, referring the question to the Israeli leader.

“I think the Palestinians should have all the powers to govern themselves, but none of the powers to threaten us. That means a sovereign power, like overall security, will always remain in our hands,” Netanyahu said.

He later argued that Hamas used its control of Gaza to carry out the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. “So people aren’t likely to say, ‘Let’s just give them another state.’ It’ll be a platform to destroy Israel,” Netanyahu said.

“We will work out a peace with our Palestinian neighbors, those who don’t want to destroy us, and we will work out a peace in which our security, the sovereign power of security, always remains in our hands,” the prime minister added.

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“Now people will say, ‘It’s not a complete state, it’s not a state, it’s not that.’ We don’t care. We vowed never again. Never again is now. It’s not going to happen again,” he said.

While the UN and US have backed a two-state solution for decades, some Israeli politicians and Republicans in Washington are increasingly describing it as unrealistic.

Last month, the US State Department warned other countries against recognizing Palestinian statehood, according to Reuters. Nevertheless, it is recognized as a sovereign nation by over 140 countries, representing about 75 percent of UN members as of November 2024, according to Al Jazeera.

Israel resumed its operation against Hamas in Gaza after a two-month ceasefire collapsed in March when the sides failed to reach further agreement. Netanyahu has said the campaign will continue until all remaining hostages are freed and the militant groups are dismantled.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is “appalled by the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” made worse by the lack of access to food and other aid, his spokesman said last week. At least 57,523 Palestinians have been killed there since October 2023, according to local authorities in the enclave.