Katz: Palestinian state will be an Iranian foothold

On visit to site of Itamar massacre, transportation minister says Israel should annex settlements if PA unilaterally declares state.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
yisrael katz 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
yisrael katz 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz spoke out on Friday against a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood.
"The unilateral establishment of a Palestinian state with Hamas will strengthen Iran's foothold in the region," Katz said, while visiting the Itamar home of the Fogel family, who were murdered by Palestinians in March.
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"Hamas and its leaders are the only ones in the world that criticized the killing of Osama bin Laden, and we do not need to be in contact with an organization," that partners with Hamas, he added.
Therefore, Katz said, "Israel needs to take unilateral steps to apply Israeli sovereignty to all of the settlements in Judea and Samaria."
Katz also announced that he is working to pave more roads in Itamar.