US Pushes UN Resolution on Path to Palestinian Statehood

The United States and nine regional partners issued a joint statement Friday supporting a US-drafted UN Security Council resolution that would offer “a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.” The resolution endorses the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict introduced in September

The statement was released by the US, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey, and emphasized that the proposal was “a sincere effort” aimed at long-term regional stability. Israeli is concerned it threatens to advance recognition of a Palestinian state without Israel’s consent.

The joint declaration said the participating countries “express our joint support for the Security Council Resolution… drafted by the United States,” adding that the plan “provides a viable path towards peace and stability, not only between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but for the entire region.” 

Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich said on X “Mr. Prime Minister, two months ago, immediately after several countries announced their unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, you committed to respond decisively upon your return from the United States. Since then, two months have passed during which you chose silence and diplomatic disgrace,” he said. Calling the recent developments “dangerous,” Smotrich demanded an “immediate, appropriate, and decisive response” that would make clear “to the entire world — a Palestinian state will never arise on the homeland of our forefathers.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also weighed in, saying, “There is no such thing as a ‘Palestinian people.’ It is an invention with no historical, archaeological, or factual basis,” he said. “A collection of migrants from Arab countries to the Land of Israel is not a people — and certainly does not deserve a prize for the terror, murder, and atrocities they have sown everywhere, and especially in Gaza, where they were given self-rule.” Ben Gvir added that “the only real solution in Gaza is encouraging voluntary emigration,” saying his Otzma Yehudit party “will not be part of any government” that accepts a Palestinian state. “make clear that Israel will not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in any form.”

Foreign Minister Israel Katz said “Israel’s policy is clear: no Palestinian state will be established,” adding that the IDF would continue to control key strategic areas and that Gaza “will be demilitarized down to the last tunnel.” He insisted that Hamas would be disarmed either by the IDF or by any international force deployed under a future arrangement.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar warned that Israel is confronting “an exceptional phenomenon” of three terror states “still fighting it with the goal of destroying it: Hamas from Gaza, Hezbollah from Lebanon, and the Houthis from Yemen.” He declared that Israel “will not agree to the establishment of a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the Land of Israel,” especially one overlooking Israeli population centers.

Adding further tension, US President Donald Trump said Friday he is considering approving a major sale of F-35 stealth jets to Saudi Arabia, ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming White House visit. Trump said Riyadh “wants to buy a lot of ’35’ — more than that, fighter jets,” and hinted that the visit would be “more than meeting, we’re honoring” Saudi Arabia. Trump hopes the kingdom will join the Abraham Accords, though Riyadh has insisted on a roadmap toward Palestinian statehood as a prerequisite.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu has not yet commented on the US-led diplomatic push at the UN or the coalition backlash that followed the announcement.