Arab League condemns Israeli rejection of Palestinian state

The Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned the Israeli Knesset’s decision to reject the establishment of a Palestinian state on Thursday.

He affirmed that the rejection aims to legitimize the occupation, undermine the two-state solution, and peace in the region. He added the decision is based on invalid justifications which exposes the true intentions of Israel towards the Palestinian people.

The resolution, sponsored by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, passed in parliament with 68 votes in favour and nine against. Opposition leader Yair Lapid left the session to avoid supporting the statement.

The vote coincided with ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s visit to al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem’s most sensitive Islamic site. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli forces in southern Gaza hours later. Israel continues to bombard the enclave, with at least 54 people killed in overnight strikes.  

الأمين العام يدين اعلان #الكنيست الاسرائيلي رفضه اقامة #الدولة_الفلسطينية.https://t.co/5hIjMTmLEZ pic.twitter.com/rzHppmzqg2

— جامعة الدول العربية (@arableague_gs) July 18, 2024