Published: May 7, 2025
A senior Israeli official sparked controversy on May 5, 2025, by declaring that the idea of a Palestinian state or Israeli withdrawals from occupied territories is “delusional,” further complicating peace prospects amid escalating regional violence. The statement, made by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during a press conference in Jerusalem, comes as Israel intensifies military operations following a Houthi missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport on May 4 and subsequent Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah Port.
Ben-Gvir’s remarks were part of a broader address on Israel’s security strategy, where he argued that territorial concessions would embolden Israel’s adversaries. “Anyone who thinks a Palestinian state or withdrawals will bring peace is living in a fantasy,” he stated, adding that such moves would “reward terrorism” at a time when Israel faces threats from multiple fronts, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen. He pointed to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which reignited in March 2025, as evidence that ceding control leads to increased violence. The minister also called for expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, framing it as a necessary measure to ensure security.
Palestinian authorities swiftly condemned the statement. Mahmoud Al-Habbash, a senior advisor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, told Al Jazeera, “These remarks reflect Israel’s rejection of peace and international law.” He accused Ben-Gvir of undermining decades of negotiations and called on the international community to pressure Israel into resuming talks based on the two-state solution. The Palestinian foreign ministry issued a statement describing the comments as “a dangerous escalation” that threatens to derail any future diplomatic efforts.
The remarks come against the backdrop of a stalled peace process and heightened tensions in the region. The Israel-Hamas conflict, which resumed after a brief ceasefire in late 2024, has resulted in over 5,000 deaths in Gaza since March 2025, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel’s military operations have also expanded to counter threats from Iran-backed groups, including the Houthis, who have targeted Israeli infrastructure in solidarity with Palestinians. The Biden administration’s attempts to broker a ceasefire have faltered, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noting in April 2025 that both sides remain “far apart” on key issues like Israeli withdrawals and Palestinian statehood. Ben-Gvir’s statement reflects a growing sentiment among Israel’s right-wing government, which has increasingly prioritized security over diplomacy since the conflict’s escalation.
Public reactions, as seen on platforms like X, highlight the deep divisions over the issue. Some Israelis echoed Ben-Gvir’s stance, with one user posting, “We can’t keep giving up land—it never works.” Others criticized the remarks as inflammatory, with a user writing, “This just makes peace harder; we need leaders who talk solutions, not division.” Internationally, human rights organizations expressed alarm, with Amnesty International stating that the comments “signal a rejection of Palestinian self-determination” and could exacerbate violence in the occupied territories.
The implications of Ben-Gvir’s statement are significant for both regional stability and international relations. Politically, it may further isolate Israel diplomatically, as the European Union and several Arab states, including Jordan and Egypt, have reiterated support for a two-state solution in recent months. Economically, continued conflict risks deterring foreign investment in Israel, which has already seen a 15% drop in tourism revenue since the Gaza war resumed, according to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. For Palestinians, the statement reinforces perceptions of Israeli intransigence, potentially fueling unrest in the West Bank, where clashes between settlers and Palestinians have increased by 30% since January 2025, per UN data.
Looking forward, the path to de-escalation remains unclear. The Israeli government shows no sign of softening its stance, with Ben-Gvir and other hardline ministers advocating for a more aggressive military posture. Palestinian leaders, meanwhile, are calling for renewed international mediation, though the U.S. and other key players appear hesitant to engage without a clear framework for negotiations. The United Nations Security Council is set to discuss the situation next week, but analysts doubt it will yield actionable outcomes given the current geopolitical climate. As violence continues, Ben-Gvir’s dismissal of a Palestinian state or withdrawals underscores the immense challenges facing any effort to revive the peace process, leaving the region braced for further conflict.
