UPDATE - Germany concerned over Israeli parliament’s rejection of Palestinian state

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Friday expressed deep concern over the Israeli parliament's rejection of the establishment of a Palestinian state.

“The resolution contradicts several UN Security Council resolutions. Israel is distancing itself from the overwhelming majority of the international community and isolating itself,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer told media representatives in Berlin.

Although the resolution is not binding, "it is nevertheless a setback in our efforts to balance Israel's legitimate security interests with the Palestinians' right to self-determination," he said.

Fischer reiterated that there is no alternative to the two-state solution that also protects the rights of the Palestinians. He stressed again that Israel's security can only be guaranteed in the long term with a two-state solution.

“Just like the Israelis, Palestinians also have a right to a life of security and dignity by being able to independently direct their own destinies in their own state.”

The resolution in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, passed by a vote of 68-9 on Thursday, and said the establishment of a Palestinian state “in the heart of the Land of Israel would pose an existential danger to the State of Israel and its citizens, perpetuate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and destabilize the region.”

The vote came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to fly to Washington on Sunday to meet US President Joe Biden and address the Congress.​​​​​​​

In February, the Knesset voted in favor of a government decision to reject unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.