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Israel's Knesset Rejects Imposition of Palestinian State in 99 to 9 Vote
(Times of Israel) Sam Sokol - The Knesset voted on Wednesday to back Prime Minister Netanyahu's declaration opposing any "unilateral" recognition of a Palestinian state. The symbolic declaration also received backing from members of the opposition, with 99 of 120 lawmakers voting in support. Israel says that any permanent accord with the Palestinians must be reached through direct negotiations between the sides and not by international dictates. "The Knesset came together in an overwhelming majority against the attempt to impose on us the establishment of a Palestinian state, which would not only fail to bring peace but would endanger the State of Israel," said Netanyahu. Israeli leaders argue that Hamas' brutal rampage inside Israel on Oct. 7 highlighted the extreme danger of an autonomous Palestinian entity near its population centers. The atrocities have led to soaring support for Hamas among Palestinians.