In a recent statement on his verified Twitter account, Israel Katz, Israel’s Minister of Energy and a prominent member of the Likud party, expressed grave concerns over the growing influence of Iran and Hamas on the Palestinian issue.
Katz highlighted the dangers posed by the establishment of a Palestinian state, which, in his view, would become a base for Iranian operations in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria.
Drawing parallels with other regions where Iranian influence has taken root, such as Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, Katz warned that allowing a Palestinian state to emerge would create significant threats to Israel’s security. He emphasized that such a state would serve as a strategic base for Iran, jeopardizing population centers, air and shipping routes, and vital economic hubs within Israel.
Katz’s remarks emphasize Israel’s long-standing concerns about Iranian expansionism in the Middle East. Tehran’s support for proxy groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen has already destabilized these regions. Katz fears a similar scenario in the Palestinian territories, where Hamas, with Iranian backing, could further entrench itself and pose an even greater threat to Israel.
The minister’s call to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state under these conditions reflects the Israeli government’s broader strategy of countering Iranian influence in the region.