Israel's parliament backs Netanyahu's opposition to 'unilateral' creation of Palestinian state

[February 21, 2024]  JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's parliament voted on Wednesday to back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration opposing the 'unilateral' creation of Palestinian state, following growing international calls for the revival of efforts to reach a two state solution to the decades-long conflict.  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Jerusalem, February 18, 2024. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo

Netanyahu's Likud party said in a statement that 99 of 120 lawmakers voted to support the declaration passed earlier this week by the cabinet.

The Israeli position also says that any permanent accord with the Palestinians would have to be reached through direct negotiations between the sides, and not by international dictates.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; editing by James Mackenzie)

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