Netanyahu rejects Palestinian state, warns of Iran threat and calls for unity government

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday of potential international pressure on Israel to withdraw from territories it controls in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon, accept the establishment of a Palestinian state and tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran.

Addressing the opening session of the 26th Knesset, Netanyahu called for the formation of a national unity government under his leadership, arguing that Israel must remain politically united to confront mounting regional and international challenges.

Netanyahu described Iran as an “existential threat” to Israel, alleging that Tehran is seeking to resume its nuclear program.

He also highlighted what he characterized as Israel’s military achievements during the war, including strikes and targeted killings of Palestinian, Lebanese and Iranian figures, claiming that these operations had contributed to reshaping the regional balance of power.

Netanyahu warned that international pressure could also threaten what he described as Israeli gains in the occupied West Bank.

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Reiterating his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, he urged Israeli political parties to put aside their differences and support a unity government capable of resisting external demands.

The outgoing prime minister also criticized proposals to establish a minority government dependent on the parliamentary support of Arab parties.

He accused Arab political factions of supporting “terrorism” and questioned their legitimacy as potential partners in forming Israel’s next government.

Netanyahu claimed that some members of the Knesset were seeking to establish a government reliant on the votes of those he described as “supporters of terrorism and haters of Israel.”

However, he said his opposition to political cooperation with Arab parties did not extend to efforts to improve the economic and social conditions of Arab citizens of Israel.

His remarks come amid political negotiations over the formation of Israel’s next government, with disagreements over coalition arrangements and regional security policy shaping the debate.

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