United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has again called for a two-state solution, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again rejected the idea of establishing a sovereign Palestinian state.
Guterres said, during a meeting of non-aligned countries in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on Saturday, that "everyone must recognize the right of the Palestinian people to build their state."
Guterres added, "Refusing to accept a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, and denying the right of the Palestinian people to establish a state, is unacceptable."
Guterres said that denying the two-state solution would prolong the conflict, which has become a threat to global peace and security, and would exacerbate polarisation and strengthen extremism everywhere.
Guterres also called again for an immediate ceasefire in the fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu continues to reject the idea of establishing an independent Palestinian state once the conflict in Gaza ends.
On Saturday, Netanyahu said, “I will not give up full Israeli security control over the entire region west of the Jordan - this conflicts with the establishment of a Palestinian state,” reiterating his position that any solution in the foreseeable future must include Israeli military control over the entire West Bank.
The United States, an important ally of Israel, is pushing for a two-state solution.
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