Netanyahu Slams UK, Canada and Australia for Recognizing Palestinian State

The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia on Sunday formally recognized a Palestinian state, prompting a fierce response from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who declared, “There will be no Palestinian state.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement minutes after Ottawa and Canberra issued similar statements, calling the step a bid to revive peace prospects and secure a two-state solution.

“Today, to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution, I state clearly as the prime minister of this great country that the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine,” Starmer said on X. He described the move as part of a process to end the war in Gaza and to advance “a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state.”

Starmer, who said he meets often with British families of hostages, added: “I see the torture that they endure each and every day. The hostages must be released immediately. We will keep on fighting to bring them home.” He called Hamas “a brutal terror organization,” stressing that statehood “is not a reward for Hamas, because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security.”

He also denounced Israeli bombardments and restrictions on Gaza, saying, “The man-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches new depths,” and warned that settlement expansion and Hamas violence are extinguishing hope for peace. “We recognised the State of Israel, more than 75 years ago, as a homeland for the Jewish people. Today, we join over 150 countries who recognise a Palestinian state also — a pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused “the current Israeli government” of working “methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established.” He said Canada “recognizes the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra’s recognition of the “independent and sovereign State of Palestine” reflects its “longstanding commitment to a two-state solution,” adding, “the terrorist organization Hamas must have no role in Palestine.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry denounced the coordinated recognition as “nothing but a reward for jihadist Hamas” and warned it “further destabilizes the region.” The ministry argued that recognition “not only rewards the biggest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust… but also solidifies the support Hamas enjoys,” insisting statehood must be tied to final-status negotiations and accusing the Palestinian Authority of incitement and rewarding terrorists.

Netanyahu reiterated that no Palestinian state would be established: “The response to the latest attempt to impose a terrorist state on us in the heart of our country will be given after my return from the United States.” He warned world leaders: “You are giving a huge reward to terrorism… It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.”

“For years, I have prevented the establishment of this terrorist state in the face of enormous pressure both from within and without,” Netanyahu continued. “Indeed, we doubled Jewish settlement in Yehudah and Shomron — and we will continue on this path.”

At his cabinet meeting ahead of the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu pledged to present “Israel’s truth” and oppose “false propaganda” in New York, saying he would meet with US President Donald Trump after his speech.

UK opposition leader Kemi Badenoch condemned Starmer’s move as “absolutely disastrous,” arguing on X: “Rewarding terrorism with no conditions whatsoever put in place for Hamas… leaves hostages languishing in Gaza and does nothing to stop the suffering of innocent people.”

A recent poll of UK residents found that the overwhelming majority opposed unconditional recognition of a Palestinian state.