‘In no case, under no condition, will we allow for the establishment of a Palestinian state or recognition of such a state,’ defense minister says
Defense Minister Naftali Bennet said Sunday that Israel will in “under no condition allow for the establishment of a Palestinian state,” ahead of the Trump administration’s release of the long-awaited Middle East peace plan, slated to be unveiled on Tuesday.
Speaking in the West Bank settlement of Ariel, Bennett said: “In no case, under no condition, will we allow for the establishment of a Palestinian state or recognition of such a state and we will not relinquish a single centimeter of the land of Israel to Arabs.”
“Before us, before the government, is a once in a lifetime chance, once in 50 years, to extend Israeli law over half a million citizens and over the Jordan Valley and Gush Etzion,” Bennett said.
Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival, Kahol Lavan leader Benny Gantz, set out to Washington on Sunday to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump about the plan.
“This has been our dream for so many years. They’re asking what position we will take,” Bennett said. “Our answer: Annexation – we support the plan. No annexation – we won’t support the plan.”
The defense minister called to extend Israeli law over all of the West Bank and added: “The right-wing government won’t allow debate with the left over any option other than the full extension of Israeli sovereignty over half a million Israelis at this Sunday’s security cabinet meeting.
