Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday firmly rejected the recognition of a Palestinian state by Britain, Australia, and Canada, declaring that such a move amounts to “a huge reward to terror.”
In a statement, Netanyahu stressed: “No Palestinian state will be established west of the Jordan River.” He accused the countries of acting in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which he described as “a horrific massacre.”
The Prime Minister also pledged to continue expanding Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying Israel had already “doubled Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria” and would maintain this path despite international criticism.
“For years, I have prevented the creation of this terror state despite enormous pressure both domestically and internationally,” Netanyahu said, insisting that settlement growth would remain a cornerstone of his policy.
What you should know
Netanyahu’s remarks highlight the deep divide between Israel and several Western nations that recently recognised Palestinian statehood.
His rejection not only rules out prospects of a two-state solution in the near future but also signals intensified settlement expansion in the West Bank, a move widely regarded as illegal under international law.
