In response to the UK, Canada, and Australia’s announcement of recognizing a Palestinian state, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a sharp condemnation, claiming the move threatens regional security and contradicts Israel’s vision for the area.
The ministry’s statement read: “Israel vehemently opposes the one-sided recognition of a Palestinian state by the United Kingdom and other nations. This declaration does not promote peace, but instead further destabilizes the region and diminishes the likelihood of a peaceful resolution. Considered by Hamas leaders as ‘the fruits of the October 7 massacre,’ the declaration not only rewards the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust by a terrorist organization aiming to eliminate Israel, but it also reinforces the support Hamas receives.”
The statement added: “It is detrimental to separate statehood, which is a final status issue, from peace. This act disregards the logic of negotiation and compromise, and it will move the prospect of peace further away. Moreover, the Palestinian Authority has failed to meet its requirements and obligations. It has not stopped the incitement, the ‘pay-for-slay’ policy, nor has it taken the necessary measures to combat terrorism, as demonstrated by the recent discovery of rockets and missiles near Ramallah last week.”
Israel’s ministry emphasized that the Palestinian Authority exacerbates the issues, which led to US sanctions. “The Palestinian Authority is part of the problem and not part of the solution. This is also the reason why the United States imposed sanctions on the Palestinian Authority and prevented its senior officials from entering its territory.”
The statement concluded by stating Israel’s rejection of the decision and suggesting that European countries prioritize pressuring Hamas to release the hostages. “In any case, Israel will not accept any detached and imaginary text that attempts to force it to accept indefensible borders. Political gestures aimed at a domestic voting audience only harm the Middle East and are not helpful. Instead, if the countries that signed this declaration truly wish to stabilize the region, they should focus on pressuring Hamas to release the hostages and to disarm immediately.”