Netanyahu Rules Out Palestinian State, Vows Action Against Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state, calling it 'folly' and citing Gaza as evidence of its failure, while emphasizing that Israel will retain military control over the territory. Netanyahu also warned that Israel is prepared to act alone to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, insisting that only a complete dismantling of Tehran's nuclear program is acceptable and criticizing partial agreements as exploitative. He accused Palestinians of seeking a state within Israel and coordinating with Arab states to undermine Israeli security. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has strongly criticized Netanyahu's government for refusing to draft ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military, arguing this policy is hampering victory over Hamas in Gaza and placing an unsustainable burden on reservists. Bennett contends that the government's political interests are prioritized over national security, exacerbating manpower shortages and prolonging the conflict. These debates highlight deep divisions within Israel's leadership over military policy and the broader approach to security threats from Gaza and Iran.