Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the move by the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada to formally recognize the state of Palestine.
Spokeswoman Shosh Badrosian shared Netanyahu’s comments during a brief news conference, stating that the decision was “absurd” and a “reward for terrorism.”
“There have been media reports suggesting the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning on announcing the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state today, a manoeuvre that Prime Minister Netanyahu has called absurd and simply a reward for terrorism,” she said, as quoted by Sky News.
Israel Warns Recognition Undermines Peace
Badrosian added that Netanyahu sees the recognition as a dangerous political move:
“The Prime Minister has made it very clear to me that his message to nations that are taking the avenue to disregard the sheer, utter chaos Hamas has thrusted Gaza into, and Israel, including our soldiers families and, of course, hostages still held in Hamas captivity, that the people of Israel aren’t going to commit suicide because of the political needs of European politics,” she said, per Sky News.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry also rejected the “one-sided declaration,” emphasizing it could destabilize the region rather than promote peace:
“It is destructive to separate statehood – one of the final status issues – from peace. This move goes against all logic of negotiation and reaching a compromise between two sides, and it will push the desired peace further away,” the statement read.
Western Nations Push Two-State Solution
The UK, Australia, and Canada said their recognition of Palestine aims to revive momentum for a two-state solution. Their statements stressed that peace can only be achieved through the coexistence of the two states living side by side and that Hamas must cease its activities immediately.
Other nations, including France, are also expected to announce recognition ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly.
Israel Criticizes Political Gestures
In response to the statement of the U.K. and some other countries regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state:
Israel categorically rejects the one-sided declaration of the recognition of a Palestinian state made by the United Kingdom and some other countries.
This…— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) September 21, 2025
Israel’s Foreign Ministry highlighted multiple concerns with the recognition:
- Rewards Hamas for the October 7 attacks
- Undermines negotiation logic and peace prospects
- Palestinian Authority has failed to stop terrorism or incitement
- Political gestures aimed at domestic audiences harm Middle East stability
“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,” the ministry said.
Netanyahu Stands Firm
Netanyahu’s reaction makes clear that Israel will not accept unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, which he believes ignores ongoing threats, Hamas violence, and the security needs of Israel.
