Netanyahu Vows No Palestinian State While He Is Prime Minister

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly rejected the call by Mansour Abbas, leader of the Ra'am party, for Israel to recognize a Palestinian state. Speaking on Saturday, Netanyahu declared unequivocally that as long as he remains prime minister, no Palestinian state will be established, neither in Gaza nor in the West Bank, emphasizing that such a state would be controlled by Iran.

Netanyahu linked Abbas's statements to the potential formation of a government led by Gadi Eizenkot, head of the Yisra party, which might rely on support from Arab parties. He criticized this possibility as the "price of a left-wing coalition with the Muslim Brotherhood," accusing opposition leaders Eizenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yoaz Hendel of alienating Likud voters while welcoming supporters of Arab parties like Tibi and Balad.

The sharp response followed Abbas's remarks at the Ra'am national conference in Tayibe, where he asserted that a Palestinian state already exists and is recognized by most of the world. Abbas stated that his party aims to end the occupation and the conflict. Meanwhile, Gadi Eizenkot responded by assuring that no Palestinian state would be established under his government but stopped short of ruling out a coalition with Ra'am.

The Likud party is focusing the upcoming 2026 election campaign on the issue of political partners who would enable the Eizenkot bloc to form a government, framing it as a critical choice for voters.