Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu: I Will Prevent the Establishment of a Palestinian State in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (black clothes) visited his troops in Gaza November 26. (Source/GPO/Avi Ohayon)

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he alone would prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza, while reportedly meeting with at least 10 lawmakers from the Likud Party over the past week, an effort to ensure their support as the ruling party's popularity continues to decline since the war.

"I am the only person who will prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza and (the West Bank) after the war," public broadcaster Kan quoted PM Netanyahu as saying to members of parliament, as reported by The Times of Israel, November 28.

This stance is in direct conflict with the policy of Israel's main ally, the United States Administration under President Joe Biden, which has sought to revive talks on a two-state solution to maintain the support of the Arab world, along with offering full support to Israel.

PM Netanyahu reportedly also told Likud lawmakers that the Biden Administration does not want Israel to launch a ground offensive in Gaza and does not want the IDF to enter Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where the Hamas command center is subordinate.

PM Netanyahu reportedly prided himself on defying US wishes in both cases.

Two US officials who spoke to The Times of Israel gave no indication that Uncle Sam's country opposed Israel's operations in Gaza, as Netanyahu said.

Instead, Washington is pushing the IDF to ensure the protection of civilians, the two officials said, noting they in principle support expanding ground operations into southern Gaza, as long as civilians remain protected.

"I have known (US President Joe) Biden for more than 40 years, and know how to speak to the American public," Kan quoted PM Netanyahu as telling Likud politicians in individual meetings.

It is known, according to a Pew Research Center poll in August, 42 percent of Americans said they did not trust Netanyahu, 32 percent said they trusted him and 26 percent of Americans said they had never heard of the Israeli prime minister.

One of the Likud MPs he met was David Bitan, who urged the prime minister to avoid bombastic statements that would come back to haunt him.