Netanyahu rejects Palestinian statehood at White House meeting with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a high-profile visit to the White House, said he remains open to peace with Palestinians but rejected the notion of a fully sovereign Palestinian state, claiming it would become a platform for Israel’s destruction.

Speaking alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, Netanyahu invoked the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel to argue that Palestinian statehood would pose an existential threat. “After October 7th, people said the Palestinians have a state, a Hamas state in Gaza, and look what they did with it,” Netanyahu said. “They didn’t build it up; they built down — into terror tunnels — after which they massacred our people… did horrendous massacres the kind of which we didn’t see since World War Two and the Nazis, the Holocaust,” Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

The Israeli leader stated unequivocally that Israel would retain “sovereign power of security” in any future arrangement, dismissing critics who argue that would preclude a true Palestinian state. “We will work out a peace with our Palestinian neighbours — those who don’t want to destroy us… but we vowed ‘never again.’ Never again is now,” he added.

President Trump, who hosted Netanyahu for a formal dinner and bilateral talks, declined to endorse a two-state solution. Asked by reporters whether such an outcome was still viable, Trump responded, “I don’t know,” and deferred the question to Netanyahu.

The meeting came as members of Netanyahu’s Likud party renewed calls to annex the West Bank, ahead of the Knesset’s summer recess. Encouraged by Trump’s return to the presidency and his hardline support for Israel, some Israeli ministers are pushing for unilateral moves, despite international warnings.

Meanwhile, indirect talks continue in Qatar between Israeli officials and Hamas intermediaries, with the U.S. attempting to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and a deal to release hostages. Around 50 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas during the October 2023 assault remain in Gaza; 20 are believed to be alive.

Trump’s administration has drawn criticism for recent remarks suggesting Palestinians should relocate from Gaza — a proposal widely rejected across the Middle East and beyond.

By Vugar Khalilov