Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reaffirmed that Israel would not accept the creation of a Palestinian state, issuing a public rejection as pressure mounted from far-right coalition partners over a US backed UN draft resolution that suggests a path toward Palestinian independence. Netanyahu , responding to days of demands from ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, said, “Our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory has not changed. Gaza will be demilitarised and Hamas will be disarmed, the easy way or the hard way.” Ben-Gvir had warned he would quit the coalition if Netanyahu did not issue a clear statement, while Smotrich accused the prime minister of breaking his promises and choosing “silence and political disgrace” for two months.

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