Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday declared that a Palestinian state would not be established, responding to Britain, Australia, and Canada’s recent recognition of Palestinian statehood.
“I have a clear message for those leaders who recognise a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre on October 7: you are granting a huge reward to terror,” he said.
“And I have another message for you: it will not happen. No Palestinian state will be established west of the Jordan River.”
Britain, Australia and Canada on Sunday became the first tripartite Western nations to recognise a Palestinian state.
Britain and Canada became the first G7 countries to take the step, with France and other nations expected to follow at the annual UN General Assembly, which opens Monday in New York.
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“Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a message on X.
“Canada recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X.
This comes after decades of requests for sovereignty from the Palestinian side.
Portugal was also to recognise Palestinian statehood later Sunday, as Israel came under huge international pressure over the war in Gaza triggered almost two years ago by the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.