Israel Rejects Recognition of Palestinian State by UK, Canada, and Australia
Israel Rejects Recognition of Palestinian State by UK, Canada, and Australia
By Idun Maximus
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected the decision by Britain, Canada, and Australia to formally recognise a Palestinian state, describing the move as “one-sided” and a threat to regional stability.
The three countries, all members of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies, became the first among the bloc to extend such recognition on Sunday. France and other European nations are expected to follow during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which opens Monday in New York.
In a statement on Sunday, Israel said the recognition undermines efforts to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
“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”, it said.
The Foreign Ministry argued that rather than supporting statehood recognition, the international community should focus on pressuring Hamas to release hostages and disarm immediately.
“The declaration not only rewards the biggest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust by a terror organisation that is calling and acting for the annihilation of Israel, but also solidifies the support Hamas enjoys,” the statement added.
Israel further warned that the move was contrary to the logic of negotiations, saying it would push peace “further away” instead of advancing dialogue between the two sides.
“This move goes against all logic of negotiation and reaching a compromise between two sides… Israel will not accept any detached and imaginary text that attempts to force it to accept indefensible borders,” the ministry said.
The recognition comes amid renewed debate over the two-state solution and intensifying calls from the international community to address the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Meanwhile, Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar condemned the move by Australia, Canada and the UK to recognise a Palestinian state describing it as “infuriating and immoral.”
“On the one hand — it is a reward to Hamas following the October 7th massacre. It cannot be perceived as anything other than encouragement of terrorism”, Saar said in a video statement.
It added:“On the other hand — it is a reward to the Palestinian Authority, which, as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently explained, is still engaged in ‘Pay for Slay’ policies, paying terrorists — and by doing so, is also clearly encouraging terrorism and violating its obligations under the agreements with us”, he added.
The foreign minister said the strong, widespread opposition in Israel towards the establishment of a Palestinian state would act as a guarantee against it.
“The future of the Land of Israel will not be decided in London or Paris — it will be decided here, in Jerusalem”, Saar added.
