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•Says there’ll never be such state
By Phillip Nwosu
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has rejected the decision by Britain, Canada, and Australia to formally recognise a Palestinian state, describing the move as “one-sided” and a threat to regional stability.
Keir Starmer, prime minister of the United Kingdom, announced the country’s recognition of Palestine as a state.
The recognition comes amid renewed debate over the two-state solution and intensifying calls from the international community to address the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a video shared on X, Starmer said the UK has joined over 150 countries that recognise the Palestinian state, adding that the move is “a pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.
“I know the strength of feeling that this conflict provokes. We have seen it on our streets, in our schools and conversations we have had with friends and family. It has created division, some have used it to stoke hatred and fear but that solves nothing.
“Not only must we reject hate, we must redouble our efforts to combat hatred in all its forms.”
The three countries, all members of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies, became the first among the bloc to extend such recognition on Sunday. France and other European nations are expected to follow during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which opens Monday in New York.
In a statement issued yesterday, Israel said the recognition undermines efforts to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
“Israel categorically rejects the one-sided declaration of the recognition of a Palestinian state made by the United Kingdom and some other countries,” the ministry said. “This declaration does not promote peace, but on the contrary further destabilises the region and undermines the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future.”
Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar said the move by Australia, Canada and the UK to recognise a Palestinian state is infuriating and immoral.
“On the one hand — it is a reward to Hamas following the October 7th massacre. It cannot be perceived as anything other than encouragement of terrorism,” Saar said in a video statement.
“On the other hand — it is a reward to the Palestinian Authority, which, as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently explained, is still engaged in ‘Pay for Slay’ policies, paying terrorists — and by doing so, is also clearly encouraging terrorism and violating its obligations under the agreements with us,” he added.
The foreign minister said the strong, widespread opposition in Israel towards the establishment of a Palestinian state would act as a guarantee against it.
“The future of the Land of Israel will not be decided in London or Paris — it will be decided here, in Jerusalem,” Saar added.
The Foreign Ministry argued that rather than supporting statehood recognition, the international community should focus on pressuring Hamas to release hostages and disarm immediately.
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“The declaration not only rewards the biggest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust by a terror organisation that is calling and acting for the annihilation of Israel, but also solidifies the support Hamas enjoys,” the statement added.
Israel further warned that the move was contrary to the logic of negotiations, saying it would push peace “further away” instead of advancing dialogue between the two sides.
“This move goes against all logic of negotiation and reaching a compromise between two sides… Israel will not accept any detached and imaginary text that attempts to force it to accept indefensible borders,” the ministry said.
Starmer said he has met British families of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and sees “the torture they endure each and every day and pain that strikes deep in the hearts” of people in Israel and the UK.
“Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of [Hamas’s] hateful vision,” he said.
“This solution is not a reward for Hamas because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security. We have already prescribed and sanctioned Hamas and we will go further.”
The announcement follows that of Canada and Australia yesterday.
In a statement on X, Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, said his country 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”.
Anthony Albanese, Australia’s prime minister, declared recognition in a formal statement, effective September 21.
“Effective today, Sunday the 21st of September 2025, the Commonwealth of Australia formally recognises the independent and sovereign State of Palestine,” the statement reads.
“In doing so, Australia recognises the legitimate and long held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own.”
The seemingly coordinated recognition is aimed at building renewed momentum for a two-state solution in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages from the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas.
Reacting to the decisions, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Palestinian foreign minister, described them as a significant step forward.
“It is a move bringing us closer to sovereignty and independence. It might not end the war tomorrow, but it’s a move forward, which we need to build on and amplify,” she said.
Meanwhile, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s security minister, said UK, Canada and Australia’s decisions on Sunday were nothing but a “reward for jihadist Hamas – emboldened by its Muslim Brotherhood affiliated in the UK.
“Hamas leaders themselves openly admit: this recognition is a direct outcome, the ‘fruit’ for the 7 October massacre,” he said.
