Netanyahu's Far-Right Rift 😲
On Sunday, Nov 16, 2025, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on his stance: Israel will never accept a Palestinian state on its land. His declaration came after a US-backed UN draft raised hopes for a pathway to Palestinian self-determination through what's known as the Board of Peace initiative in Gaza.
Here's the scoop:
- Nov 7: UN Security Council kicked off talks on a draft resolution supporting President Trump's Gaza peace plan, which sets up a temporary admin for reconstruction.
- Nov 14: The United States and several Muslim-majority nations endorsed the draft, hinting at a future Palestinian state if the Palestinian Authority implements reforms.
- Nov 15-16: Far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich demanded Netanyahu reject any mention of statehood, even threatening to quit his coalition.
Netanyahu shot back: "Our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory has not changed. Gaza will be demilitarized and Hamas will be disarmed, the easy way or the hard way." He added he doesn't need tweets or lectures from anyone 🙅♂️.
With the next election due by Oct 2026, a far-right walkout could topple his government months before ballots drop. Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also took to X to voice their no-state stance.
Why it matters 🌍: This clash shows how Netanyahu must balance his hardline base with international calls for peace. For young South and Southeast Asian news buffs, it's a reminder that global politics can shift overnight—making it all the more important to stay tuned.
Reference(s):
Netanyahu faces far-right backlash over U.S.-backed Palestinian plan
cgtn.com
