JERUSALEM, November 16, 2025 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting pressure from far-right coalition allies after a U.S.-backed United Nations statement suggested support for a pathway to Palestinian statehood. The statement, endorsed by the United States and several Muslim-majority nations, forms part of a draft UN resolution backing President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

Netanyahu Reaffirms Opposition to Palestinian State

In response to protests by far-right ministers within his coalition, Netanyahu declared that Israel’s opposition to a Palestinian state remains unchanged, stating:

“Our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory has not changed. Gaza will be demilitarised and Hamas will be disarmed, the easy way or the hard way. I do not need affirmations, tweets or lectures from anyone.”

The statement comes after far-right leaders, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, demanded Netanyahu explicitly denounce the prospect of a Palestinian state. Ben-Gvir even threatened to leave the coalition if Netanyahu did not act decisively.

Context: Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

The UN draft resolution, negotiated by the 15-member Security Council starting November 7, seeks to implement Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which includes provisions for a “Board of Peace” transitional administration in Gaza. This administration would oversee post-war reconstruction, economic recovery, and reforms within the Palestinian Authority, potentially establishing conditions for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination.

The inclusion of Palestinian statehood prospects in the plan sparked outrage among Israel’s far-right leaders, many of whom opposed the October ceasefire brokered by Trump following two years of intense conflict with Hamas.

Political Tensions Within Netanyahu’s Coalition

The backlash threatens the stability of Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, which includes conservative and ultra-nationalist factions. A walkout by far-right ministers could topple the government before the next election, scheduled for October 2026.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also issued statements opposing a Palestinian state, signaling internal divisions within the cabinet. Netanyahu had previously embraced Trump’s Gaza plan during a White House visit in September 2025, but until Sunday had not addressed Palestinian statehood directly.

Humanitarian and Historical Context

The Gaza conflict, triggered by Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, led to over 69,000 deaths in Gaza and around 1,200 fatalities in Israel. The October 10, 2025 ceasefire largely halted large-scale fighting, though sporadic violence continues. Netanyahu’s position reflects ongoing security concerns and the deep political sensitivities surrounding Palestinian sovereignty within Israeli politics.