There will not be a Palestinian state, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said, speaking Tuesday morning in an interview with 103FM, hours after the UN Security Council endorsed the US administration’s 20-point Gaza plan.
Danon said Israel supports the plan’s security pillars, but not Palestinian statehood, and that any statehood language is highly conditional.
The ambassador added that while Israel backed the US outline, any reference to future statehood depends on far-reaching reforms that he doubts will occur. “If all the conditions are met and all the reforms are carried out… it is very conditional, it is not going to happen.'
He continued, saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated clearly that Israel does not support a Palestinian state. “If in the future Gazans change their ways and become seekers of peace, then we will sit and talk with them,” he said.
Danon said Washington aims to bring an international force to Gaza to move toward demilitarization and restore order in a second phase. He cautioned that such missions must focus on disarming Hamas and avoid becoming ineffective.
He described the Security Council’s move as performative rather than enforceable, since it does not invoke Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which gives the UN the authority to determine threats to peace and to authorize action against them.
The resolution, Danon said, is intended to enable states to send forces, though many will hesitate without a UN decision.
“The decision is not one with teeth,” Danon said. “It is a call to action intended to allow various states to send forces to the region.”
UNSC votes on Trump's Gaza peace plan, frames pathway for Palestinian state
The Security Council voted on Monday, November 17, to support the US resolution that backs President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, including provisions for an International Stabilization Force and a debated clause outlining a pathway to Palestinian statehood.
Netanyahu has recently reiterated his rejection of Palestinian statehood west of the Jordan River.