On Sunday, Israel called for bipartisan support from the United States to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state, arguing that such a move would reward Hamas and its supporter, Iran.
European Union countries, including Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Malta, have indicated they may recognize a Palestinian state this month, advocating a two-state solution as crucial for lasting peace in the region.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, who met with top House Republican Elise Stefanik, stated that a Palestinian state would allow Iran to use it as a base to “work towards the destruction of Israel.”
Katz urged Stefanik to ensure that the U.S. leads a resolution at the International Energy Agency’s council next month to push for additional sanctions against Iran to prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons and supporting groups like Hamas. Iran, however, denies it is seeking nuclear weapons.
Stefanik has been actively involved in efforts to quell protests across U.S. college campuses against Israel’s actions in Gaza and in support of Palestinian self-determination.
The Gaza conflict began on October 7, when Hamas launched a cross-border attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 253 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry reports that at least 35,386 Palestinians have been killed.
