An Israeli parliament vote to oppose a Palestinian state as an “existential threat”, just days ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, brought Palestinian and international criticism.

The 120-member Knesset passed by 68 votes to nine a resolution that said a Palestinian state on land occupied by Israel would “perpetuate the Israel-Palestinian conflict and destabilise the region”.

“The Knesset firmly opposes the creation of a Palestinian state (on land) west of Jordan,” said the resolution, referring to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by the bombardment unleashed by the October 7 Hamas attacks.

“The creation of a Palestinian state in the heart of the land of Israel would constitute an existential danger for the state of Israel and its citizens, would perpetuate the Israel-Palestinian conflict and destabilise the region.”