Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has recently faced criticism from within his own coalition, particularly from Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right finance minister. Smotrich has voiced his disapproval, accusing Netanyahu of inadequately addressing the growing trend among Western nations to officially recognize Palestinian statehood.

This sentiment of opposition to Palestinian statehood is echoed by other ministers in the government, although they stopped short of directly addressing a specific resolution related to the matter. Their collective stance signals a firm resistance to the international recognition that has been gaining momentum.

In a more provocative statement, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister known for his far-right views, controversially labeled the Palestinian identity as merely an “invention.” This rhetoric further amplifies the tension within the Israeli government regarding the Palestinian issue and reflects the deeply entrenched divisions over the path forward.