ALBAWABA – Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, spoke out against Britain, Canada, and Australia's recognition of a Palestinian state on Sunday. He called the move a "reward for terrorism" and promised that no Palestinian state would be built west of the Jordan River.
Netanyahu said in a statement that Israel's official response would be made public after he returns from Washington, D.C., where he is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump.
Israel strongly criticized the three countries' coordinated recognition. The Foreign Ministry called Britain's choice "a reward for Hamas encouraged by the Muslim Brotherhood." Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that "the fate of Israel will be decided in Jerusalem, not in London or Paris."
Itamar Ben Gvir, the Minister of National Security, said on X that the recognition needed "immediate countermeasures," such as declaring Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and breaking up the Palestinian Authority. Bezalel Smotrich, the Minister of Finance, agreed, saying that the only right thing to do was to annex the West Bank. He said, "The Mandate is over; the idea of a Palestinian state must be removed forever."
Smotrich told Netanyahu to do something, saying that now was "the right time" to do it.
Britain, Canada, and Australia have all recognized the new country. At a United Nations summit, other countries, including France, are likely to do the same.
