Israel rejects Palestinian statehood as Western recognition grows

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on September 21st that there will be no Palestinian state, addressing Western leaders who had recently recognised Palestine.

According to Radio France Internationale, Netanyahu also reaffirmed his government’s intention to expand settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.

“I have a clear message for the leaders who recognised a Palestinian state after the atrocious massacre of October 7th: you are offering an immense reward to terrorism,” Netanyahu said in a video released by his office. “I have another message for you: that will not happen. No Palestinian state will see the light of day west of the Jordan River.”

He further stressed his government’s ongoing settlement drive: “For years I have prevented the creation of this terrorist state despite enormous pressures, both domestically and internationally. We have doubled Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria, and we will continue on this path.”

His remarks come amid a wave of recognition of Palestinian statehood by countries traditionally close to Israel, despite heavy pressure from both Israel and the United States. 

Reacting to recent announcements by the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement rejecting such decisions: “Israel categorically rejects the unilateral declaration of recognition of a Palestinian state made by the United Kingdom and other countries. This declaration does not promote peace; on the contrary, it further destabilises the region and compromises the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future.”

Within Israel’s government, far-right ministers went further. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for the immediate annexation of the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote on X that “the only response to this anti-Israeli approach is the annexation of the homeland of the Jewish people in Judea and Samaria and the definitive abandonment of the absurd idea of a Palestinian state.”

Palestinian leaders, meanwhile, welcomed the recognitions. Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi called them “a victory for the rights of the Palestinian people and for the legitimacy of our cause, sending a clear message: no matter how far the Israeli occupation’s crimes go, it will never erase our national rights.”

Husam Zomlot, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, praised the British decision as a “historic announcement” that “corrects an injustice” against Palestinians. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described it as a step toward lasting peace.

During a visit to the United Kingdom, U.S. President Donald Trump voiced his opposition to London’s move in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. To date, around three-quarters of the 193 United Nations member states have recognised the Palestinian state, first proclaimed by the exiled Palestinian leadership in 1988.

Radio France Internationale, Sky News, BBC, Middle East Eye, Maghrebi.org