Knesset approves resolution rejecting establishment of Palestinian state

Jerusalem - Ma'an - The Israeli Knesset General Assembly approved, at dawn on Thursday, a draft resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, following the decision taken by the Knesset last February to reject "unilateral" international recognition of the Palestinian state. The resolution states that "the Knesset strongly opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan," and considers that "the establishment of a Palestinian state in the heart of the Land of Israel will pose an existential threat to the State of Israel and its citizens, and will lead to the perpetuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and destabilization of the region." The draft resolution was submitted by MK Ze'ev Elkin of the "Official Right" bloc, and received support from the opposition and the coalition, including the "Official Right" parties, Likud, the "National Camp", "Shas", "United Torah Judaism", "Otzma Yehudit", "Yisrael Beiteinu", and "Religious Zionism". Commenting on the Knesset plen um's adoption of the resolution, the head of the "Official Right" party, Gideon Sa'ar, said that the resolution "aims to express the comprehensive opposition of the Israeli people to the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel's security and future." He added that the decision represents an Israeli message to the international community, stating that "international pressures aimed at imposing a Palestinian state on Israel will not work." On February 21, the Knesset voted overwhelmingly in favor of the government's decision to reject unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state, in a decision supported by 99 Knesset members, while 9 members voted against it. Source: Maan News Agency