Netanyahu Declares 'No Palestinian State' as Settlement Expansion Proceeds
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that "there will be no Palestinian state," as he moves forward with plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank. This announcement comes amid international condemnation and growing recognition of a Palestinian state by some nations at the United Nations.
Settlement Expansion and its Implications
Netanyahu signed an agreement on Thursday to advance a settlement expansion project, specifically in the area known as "E1" near Maale Adumim. This expansion, involving 3,400 new homes for Israeli settlers, would effectively bisect the West Bank, cutting off much of it from occupied East Jerusalem and connecting existing Israeli settlements. This area is considered a critical part of a potential future Palestinian state.
“We are going to fulfil our promise that there will be no Palestinian state. This place belongs to us,” Netanyahu said at the event in Maale Adumim, an Israeli settlement just east of Jerusalem. “We are going to double the city’s population.”
According to Al Jazeera, the expansion will destroy any territorial continuity from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, further dismantling any possibility of a future Palestinian state.
Palestinian Response and International Law
Palestinian Authority spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh insisted that a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital is essential for peace in the region, calling it "inevitable." He condemned the settlements as illegal under international law and accused Netanyahu of escalating tensions.
“Pushing the entire region towards the abyss” - Nabil Abu Rudeineh on Netanyahu's actions.
Rudeineh noted that 149 United Nations member states have already recognised Palestine and called on all countries that have not yet done so to recognise a Palestinian state immediately. All Israeli settlements in the West Bank, occupied since 1967, are considered illegal under international law.
Historical Context and Current Tensions
Netanyahu has long been a champion of settlements and an opponent of peace efforts between Israel and Palestine. He openly opposed the Oslo Accords and has stated his belief that a Palestinian state would never be formed under his leadership.
More recently, far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said settlements will help erase Palestine from the map. This comes even as Palestinian statehood gains increasing recognition from UN member states.
International Community's Reaction
The UN General Assembly demanded in September 2024 that Israel end its presence in the West Bank. An advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July 2024 deemed Israel's continued presence in occupied territory unlawful and required the immediate cessation of settlement activities.
More recently, 21 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, condemned Israel's plan to build its new settlement.
Germany announced on Thursday that it will back a France-led proposal for a two-state solution, and it will support a UN resolution this week to adopt the New York Declaration, calling for the creation of a Palestinian state and a right to return for refugees. Belgium, France and Malta have pledged to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly session this month.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
This settlement expansion news arrives amidst escalating violence. On Monday, six people were killed in a shooting attack in Jerusalem. In Gaza, the conflict has resulted in a massive humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands killed and displaced. Netanyahu is continuing to push “voluntary migration“, a euphemism for forced displacement and ethnic cleansing.
Netanyahu's UN Meeting Vow
Prior to the UN meeting in September 2025, where countries like France and Canada are expected to move forward with recognizing a Palestinian state, Netanyahu attended a ceremony celebrating the expansion of Ma'ale Adumim. He emphasized the growth and development of the settlement, stating his commitment to ensuring that "there will be no Palestinian state."
"This thing is about to realize the doubling of the city of Ma'ale Adumim," Netanyahu said. "We said there will be no Palestinian state -- and indeed there will be no Palestinian state! This place is ours."
The settlement of Ma'ale Adumim, established in 1975, currently houses approximately 40,000 Israelis. The recent approval of a massive expansion plan, including over 7,000 new housing units and infrastructure upgrades, has drawn condemnation from the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, which considers the settlement illegal.
The ICJ has concluded that Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful and demands the cessation of this presence "as rapidly as possible."