Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected the coordinated decision by the UK, Canada, and Australia to recognise Palestine, declaring that there will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan River.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu vowed to respond to the move after returning from his visit to the United States. “There will be no Palestinian state. The response to the latest attempt to force upon us a terror state in the heart of our land will be given after my return from the United States,” he said.
Condemning the recognition, Netanyahu accused the three countries of “rewarding terror with an enormous prize” in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. He added, “For years I have prevented the creation of that terror state, against tremendous pressure both domestic and abroad. Moreover, we have doubled the Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, and we will continue on this path.”
The UK, Canada, and Australia announced their recognition of a Palestinian state on Sunday, stressing their support for a two-state solution. Australia’s Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement, “Australia formally recognises the independent and sovereign State of Palestine, acknowledging the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the Palestinian people to a state of their own.”
The countries also underlined that Hamas must cease to exist as part of any peace framework.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, strongly opposed the move, stating, “Israel categorically rejects the one-sided declaration of the recognition of a Palestinian state made by the United Kingdom and some other countries. This declaration does not promote peace, but on the contrary – further destabilises the region and undermines the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future.”
The development has further deepened tensions as the debate over the creation of a Palestinian state resurfaces amid ongoing regional conflict.
