Israel’s Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked controversy by claiming that the Palestinian people do not exist, ahead of a United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution aimed at implementing the next stage of the US-brokered peace plan for Gaza. The resolution, drafted by the US and backed by several Arab and Muslim countries, seeks to provide a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
In a social media post, Ben-Gvir, who leads the ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit party, argued that the Palestinian nation is “an invention without any historical, archaeological, or factual basis.” He claimed that the collection of immigrants from Arab countries to the Land of Israel does not constitute a nation and that they do not deserve a reward for “terrorism, murder, and atrocities” allegedly committed in Gaza. Ben-Gvir suggested that the only “real” solution to the conflict is “encouraging voluntary emigration.”
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has echoed Ben-Gvir’s sentiments, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make it clear to the world that a Palestinian state “will never be established.” This stance is in contrast to the current international recognition of Palestine, with 157 countries, including four of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, acknowledging the State of Palestine.
Netanyahu had previously distanced himself from Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, both of whom were reportedly excluded from the prime minister’s war cabinet. However, in September, Netanyahu stated that “there will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River.” Russia has emphasized that any future resolutions on Gaza must reaffirm the two-state solution and a path to a viable Palestinian statehood.
The UN Security Council vote on the resolution is set to take place on Monday, with the international community watching closely. The outcome of the vote may have significant implications for the Middle East peace process and the prospects for a two-state solution. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community remains committed to finding a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.