Link: https://tankie.tube/w/rgLsL4Hot6KNU7zXiGT5kv

In a JNS election debate hosted by JNS, Yad L'Olim, and Telfed, eight of nine Zionist parties rejected the creation of a Palestinian state. The debate brought together candidates from across Israel's political spectrum, including the governing coalition and the opposition.

The moderators asked each candidate for a simple yes or no on Palestinian statehood. Likud's Amichai Chikli said his party opposes a Palestinian state in any form. Otzma Yehudit's Yishai Fleisher said his party would fight it with teeth and nails. Religious Zionist Party's Simcha Rothman repeated no three times. Yisrael Beiteinu's Oded Forer said No, definitely not. Yashar's Alex Rif also rejected statehood. Together's Moshe Tur-Paz said: Clearly no. The clear answer is no. Amcha Yisrael's Fleur Hassan-Nahoum said Absolutely not.

The only candidate who did not reject statehood was Gilad Kariv of The Democrats, the most left-leaning party on the stage. He was briefly disconnected when the question was asked and did not respond. Kariv has supported a two-state solution in the past.

This debate reflects a wider shift in Israeli politics. Before October 7, 2023, more Israeli leaders kept the door open to a Palestinian state under certain conditions. Today, even Netanyahu's main challenger has closed it. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of Yashar, wrote on X: Under a government we form, no Palestinian state will be established. A Tel Aviv University survey found that 64% of Israeli Jews opposed a Palestinian state under any condition. It was the first time in nearly 18 years that a majority of Israeli Jews held that view.

Meanwhile, in the UK, the Green Party passed a motion defining Zionism as a form of racism. Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham condemned it as wrong and antisemitic and ruled out any partnership with the Greens. Labour councils in power-sharing arrangements with the Greens were told to end those agreements if the Greens did not condemn the motion.

News: https://www.jns.org/news/israel-news/zionist-parties-unite-against-palestinian-state-in-jns-election-debate