July 24, 2024

The Knesset voted overwhelmingly against the establishment of a Palestinian state. In the 120 member knesset, in a vote of 68-9 with the remainder of the 120 members not voting supported the resolution that said “a Palestinian state would pose an existential danger to the State of Israel.”  Ths vote came on the eve of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where the Biden administration has publicly advocated a two state political outcome.  Broader still, the PA and Hamas, both administratively weak, are in wrenching public disagreement on who should lead the Palestinian future. Hamas is reeling under Israeli attacks in Gaza aimed at killing its fighters and leaders,  while the PA is running out of money to pay its administrators.  Polls in Israel and among Palestinians show only small minorities supporting a two-state solution, while commentators and politicians primarily in the US and Europe, remain avidly in favor of a two-state outcome.