Tehran - BORNA - Israeli government officials voiced sharp criticism after Britain, Canada and Australia announced recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the UK’s recognition “is merely a reward for Hamas,” adding that the move had been encouraged by the Muslim Brotherhood in Britain. The ministry also claimed that Hamas leaders themselves openly tie recognition of a Palestinian state to the October 7 attacks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by saying he would set out Israel’s version of a “just war” and its views on a peace built on strength during his address to the United Nations. Netanyahu told reporters that Israel must confront the UN and other forums over what he described as “false propaganda” against Israel.
“We must oppose the calls to create a Palestinian state — they constitute a threat to our existence and amount to an irrational reward for terrorism,” Netanyahu said.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, said he would propose, at the next cabinet meeting, a move to extend Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. “The recognitions by the UK, Canada and Australia are a reward for murderers and demand immediate counteraction,” Ben-Gvir said. “We must quickly apply our sovereignty to the West Bank and fully dismantle the Palestinian Authority.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed that line, saying the days when Britain and other countries decided Israel’s future are over. “Our response to their recognition will be to apply sovereignty over the West Bank,” he said, urging rapid action and placing the decision in Netanyahu’s hands. “The foolish idea of a Palestinian state must be removed from the agenda forever,” Smotrich added.
Miki Zohar, Minister of Culture and Sports, described the recognition as “meaningless” and accused it of pandering to anti-Israel sentiment. “The only answer to this foolish declaration is the application of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and the Jordan Valley,” he said.
Opposition and former-security voices also weighed in. Yair Golan, head of the Democratic Camp party in the occupied territories, called the unilateral recognition a “dangerous diplomatic failure” for Netanyahu and Smotrich and warned it would be a destructive blow to Israeli security. He blamed the recognition on political failure by the government and accused it of prioritizing occupation and annexation over ending the war.
Benny Gantz, leader of the National Camp, argued recognition would only empower Hamas, prolong the war and reduce chances for prisoner exchanges and negotiated settlements. He said the Western leaders should instead put maximum pressure on Hamas to relinquish power and free captives.
Former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot said the recognition reflected a deep political collapse in the cabinet and in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership.
The announcements by the UK, Canada and Australia come amid a wave of international moves recognizing Palestinian statehood. Several Western leaders have framed their steps as efforts to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution, while Israeli officials view them as legitimizing violence and undermining Israel’s security.
End Article