The two-state solution for Israel and Palestine has hit another barrier. Here’s why

Israeli politicians supported Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of ‘unilateral’ recognition of a Palestinian state.
The move represents yet another barrier for the historically challenging proposal of a two-state solution.
Many believe that recognition of a Palestinian state would reward Hamas for the events of 7 October, experts say.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of any “unilateral” recognition of a Palestinian state
received overwhelming support from Israeli politicians on Wednesday, with 99 out of 120 voting in agreement with the prime minister.

The decision comes amid growing international calls to revive negotiations on the subject of Palestinian statehood.

Israel’s declaration, made in the Knesset, stated that any permanent accord with the Palestinians would not be dictated by international or external forces, but rather reached through direct negotiations between the two sides.

“The people of Israel and their elected representatives are united today as never before,” Netanyahu said in the country’s parliament on Wednesday. “The Knesset voted overwhelmingly to oppose any attempt to unilaterally impose a Palestinian state on Israel.”
Netanyahu went on to claim that such an attempt would endanger Israel and curtail aspirations for peace.

“Peace can only be achieved after we achieve total victory over Hamas and through direct negotiations with the parties — direct negotiations without preconditions.”

The outcome, which reaffirmed a position that has long been Israel’s official policy, was condemned by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, which said in a statement that “the State of Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations and its recognition by other nations does not require permission from Netanyahu”.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid supported the declaration but claimed the move was “spin” by Netanyahu, adding: “There is no single official in the world that offers a unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.”