In this statement, Netanyahu presents core principles of his intended government, explicitly rejecting a two-state solution as incompatible with Israeli security interests. He asserts territorial claims spanning from the sea to the Jordan River and dismisses the political obstacles to this position, stating that security and victory for the State of Israel supersede political considerations. Netanyahu frames the stance within a broader regional security context, identifying Iran and what he describes as a 'terrible axis of terror' as the primary threat. He also signals willingness to conduct military operations in Lebanon if deemed necessary for Israeli defence. The remarks reflect the government's prioritisation of territorial control and military readiness over diplomatic two-state arrangements.
Key Points
- Netanyahu explicitly rejects the two-state solution as incompatible with his government's core principles and Israeli security doctrine.
- He asserts a territorial claim spanning from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River as the necessary framework for Israeli security.
- Netanyahu characterises Iran as leading an 'axis of terror' that poses an existential threat to Israel.
- Political feasibility or diplomatic precedent ('graveyard') are subordinate to security calculations in his stated decision-making framework.
- The government reserves the right to conduct military operations in Lebanon if necessary to address security threats.
Article
Hebrew
Knowledge Library reading view for this lecture
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlines his government's opposition to a two-state solution and articulates a territorial stance extending from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River, framing the position as necessary for Israeli security against what he characterises as an Iranian-led axis of terror.
Summary
In this statement, Netanyahu presents core principles of his intended government, explicitly rejecting a two-state solution as incompatible with Israeli security interests. He asserts territorial claims spanning from the sea to the Jordan River and dismisses the political obstacles to this position, stating that security and victory for the State of Israel supersede political considerations. Netanyahu frames the stance within a broader regional security context, identifying Iran and what he describes as a 'terrible axis of terror' as the primary threat. He also signals willingness to conduct military operations in Lebanon if deemed necessary for Israeli defence. The remarks reflect the government's prioritisation of territorial control and military readiness over diplomatic two-state arrangements.
Key takeaways
- Netanyahu explicitly rejects the two-state solution as incompatible with his government's core principles and Israeli security doctrine.
- He asserts a territorial claim spanning from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River as the necessary framework for Israeli security.
- Netanyahu characterises Iran as leading an 'axis of terror' that poses an existential threat to Israel.
- Political feasibility or diplomatic precedent ('graveyard') are subordinate to security calculations in his stated decision-making framework.
- The government reserves the right to conduct military operations in Lebanon if necessary to address security threats.
Full article
Government Principles and Territorial Stance
One of the core principles of the government I intend to lead—the broad national government I intend to lead—is this: there is no place for a two-state solution. From the sea to the Jordan River, there is no place for a two-state solution. Now, you asked me three years ago, "Because it's a political graveyard." So you know what I say? I will answer you in Yiddish. You know what I will answer you? Who cares? I am doing this not because it's a graveyard or not a graveyard. I am doing this because it is necessary for the security and the victory of the State of Israel: to repel this terrible axis of terror from Iran that came to destroy us. And if we need to enter Lebanon, we enter Lebanon. And if we need to operate there with force, we do that.
Topics#Israeli government policy#Two-state solution#Israeli-Palestinian territorial dispute#Regional security#Iran and Middle East geopolitics