The Israeli cabinet has approved a motion rejecting any “international diktats” regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, including the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.

The statement acts as a response to US and Arab governments, which are leading international pressure for a halt to the war in Gaza and driving a wider diplomatic initiative to convince Israel to take steps towards allowing the establishment of a Palestinian state. As an incentive, they would offer the prospect of normalising ties between Israel and Muslim nations including Saudi Arabia — long a grand prize for the Jewish state.

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