Israeli Parties United on Settlement Expansion, Rejecting Palestinian Statehood

A report by Yedioth Ahronoth revealed a broad consensus among Zionist parties running in the Knesset elections regarding the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank and opposition to a political settlement that includes a Palestinian state. The survey indicated no significant differences between parties aligned with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and those in opposition on these core issues.

Parties like Yishai, led by Gadi Eisenkot, expressed support for strengthening existing settlements and establishing new ones legally, while rejecting the idea of a Palestinian state and any plans to evacuate settlements. They also emphasized the need for reforms from the Palestinian Authority, including halting incitement and payments to those deemed terrorists.

Likud, the Prime Minister's party, declined to comment but is understood to support settlement activity. Other parties, including Yamina, led by Naftali Bennett, and Yisrael Beiteinu, headed by Avigdor Lieberman, reiterated their commitment to settlement expansion and opposed a Palestinian state. Lieberman's party specifically called for dismantling the Palestinian Authority, viewing it as a terrorist organization.

Far-right parties such as Otzma Yehudit, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the Religious Zionism party, headed by Bezalel Smotrich, advocated for full Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, the establishment of new settlements, and the legalization of all existing outposts. Smotrich's party highlighted its role in advancing settlement construction and approving housing units in strategic areas.

Parties like the Democrats, led by Yair Golan, acknowledged the failure of the "conflict management" approach and called for a political-security strategy alongside military action, suggesting separation in a regional process. The Haredi parties, Yahadut HaTorah and Shas, focused primarily on issues concerning the ultra-Orthodox community, though Shas aligned itself with right-wing initiatives and opposed a Palestinian state.