The Times of Israel is liveblogging Thursday’s events as they happen.
Knesset overwhelmingly passes motion rejecting Palestinian statehood, days before PM’s US trip
The Knesset has voted overwhelmingly to pass a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The resolution was co-sponsored by parties in both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition together with right-wing parties from the opposition and even received support from Benny Gantz’s centrist National Unity party.
The center-left Yesh Atid party’s MKs left the plenum to avoid backing the measure, even though its chairman Yair Lapid has spoken in favor of a two-state solution. The only ones to back the resolution were lawmakers from the Labor, Ra’am and Hadash-Ta’al parties.
The initiative is passed just days before Netanyahu’s visit to the US to address a joint session of Congress and meet with President Joe Biden at the White House. The move is likely to further irk Democrats uncomfortable with embracing an Israeli government that increasingly rejects a two-state solution.
Already in February, the Knesset passed a resolution sponsored by Netanyahu rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, but that motion specifically addressed the unilateral establishment of such a state amid reports that countries abroad were considering recognizing a Palestinian state absent a peace agreement with Israel.
Today’s resolution — passed 68-9 — rejects the establishment of a Palestinian state, even if it is part of a negotiated settlement with Israel.
“The Knesset of Israel firmly opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state west of Jordan. The establishment of a Palestinian state in the heart of the Land of Israel will pose an existential danger to the State of Israel and its citizens, perpetuate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and destabilize the region,” the resolution states.
“It will only be a matter of a short time until Hamas takes over the Palestinian state and turns it into a radical Islamic terror base, working in coordination with the Iranian-led axis to eliminate the State of Israel,” it continues. “Promoting the idea of a Palestinian state at this time will be a reward for terrorism and will only encourage Hamas and its supporters to see this as a victory, thanks to the massacre of October 7, 2023, and a prelude to the takeover of jihadist Islam in the Middle East.”
Schumer told Biden he should drop out of US presidential race — report
WASHINGTON — US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told President Joe Biden in a meeting on Saturday it would be better for the country and the Democratic Party if he ends his reelection campaign, ABC News reports.
Biden says he feels ‘good’ as he boards plane to Delaware after COVID diagnosis
LAS VEGAS — US President Joe Biden says he’s feeling “good” after he tested positive for COVID during a campaign trip to Las Vegas.
“I’m feeling good,” Biden tells reporters as he boards Air Force One before heading to his vacation home in Delaware.
White House says Biden tested positive for COVID, has ‘mild symptoms’
LAS VEGAS — US President Joe Biden is experiencing “mild symptoms” after testing positive for COVID during a campaign trip to Las Vegas on Wednesday, the White House said.
Biden was going to travel to his vacation home in Delaware “where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time,” spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.