Palestinian statehood

Smotrich: 'Establishing settlements destroys idea of Palestinian state in our heartland'

Smotrich's comments came at a ceremony celebrating the establishment of a new settlement, called Maoz Tzur, in the Binyamin region of the West Bank.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset, March 23, 2026; illustrative.
An illustrative image of an Israeli flag in the shape of a bird.

Am I a Zionist? Why Zionism must remain broader than politics - opinion

An Israeli soldier kneels on rubble in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, December 8, 2025.

'Hamas is finished': Palestinians divided as US-backed Gaza technocratic committee forms

A United Nations vehicle drive past the destroyed United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's (UNRWA) headquarters, in Gaza City on January 11, 2026.

US: We'll withhold Gaza, West Bank funds if Palestine obtains UN seat


Annexation, Gaza, and the UNGA: Israel faces a month of fateful choices

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: From annexation maps to Gaza operations, September could prove a turning point for Israel as the UN, Europe, and Arab states raise the stakes.

THIS MONTH is shaping up to be more consequential than most for the Jewish state, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is calibrating not only what steps Israel might take, but when to take them.

'One must welcome the change in Washington' leadership, Netanyahu says

Netanyahu spoke to Telegram channel Abu Ali Express about his relationship with Trump, as well as Palestinian statehood, the Gaza Strip, and antisemitism.

 L to R: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump. (illustration)

Rubio: Palestinian state recognition will create more problems, the US has warned

"If you guys do this recognition stuff, it's all fake, it's not even real, if you do it, you're going to create problems," Rubio said.

 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends an event at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 16, 2025.

Macron need not visit Israel in light of Palestinian state recognition, Saar tells French FM

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told his French counterpart that France’s push for Palestinian state recognition undermines Israel’s security, casting doubt on Macron’s visit.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar (L) meets with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot (R) in Paris, April 3, 2025; illustrative.

Gulf countries hold meeting ahead of UNGA that might see declaration of a Palestinian state

Heavyweights such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia are holding meetings and discussions about the region. These have implications for their policy on Israel and Palestinian issues.

 Representatives of the UAE, US, Israel, Bahrain Morocco and Egypt at the Steering Committee of the Negev Forum, June 27, 2022.

Smotrich proposes annexing 82% of West Bank, UAE officials condemn move

The UAE warned Israel that any annexation of the West Bank would constitute a red line for Abu Dhabi that would severely undermine the spirit of the Abraham Accords.

FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich speaks at a news conference, announcing plans to approve more than 3,000 housing units in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma’aleh Adumim, last week.

Recognition of Palestinian state would spur sprint towards two-state solution, envoy says

"I think it will be the starting gun for what we hope to be a sprint, not even a march, towards implementing the two-state solution," said Husam Zomlot, the head of the Palestinian Mission in London.

A Palestinian supporter wears Palestinian and Union Jack flags outside the Parliament in London during October's vote on recognizing a state of Palestine

Jewish leaders 'afraid for future of Jews in Belgium' after Palestine state recognition - interview

Joel Rubinfeld, President of the Belgian League Against Antisemitism, spoke of antisemitism within Belgium's political echelon, saying that many parties won't accept meetings with Jewish groups.

Students take part in a pro-Palestinian protest in front of the Israeli Embassy in Brussels, Belgium May 30, 2024.

Belgium to sign UN declaration backing future recognition of Palestine if conditions are met

Belgium will join the signatories of the New York Declaration, paving the way for a two-state solution, or a Palestinian state co-existing in peace alongside Israel, Prevot said in a post on X.

Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, Maxime Prevot, against backdrop of Palestinian flags. (illustration)

Israel mulls West Bank annexation in response to int'l moves to recognize Palestinian state

Extension of Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank was on the agenda for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet meeting late on Sunday.

An Israeli flag flutters, as part of the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim is visible in the background, in the West Bank, August 14, 2025.