Tel Aviv/Gaza City, September 21 (ANI): The coordinated decision by the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to formally recognize a Palestinian state has drawn sharply opposing responses from Israel and Palestine, deepening divisions over the path to peace in the region.
In a strongly worded statement, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the move, calling it a “one-sided declaration” that undermines peace and rewards terrorism. “Israel categorically rejects the one-sided declaration of the recognition of a Palestinian state made by the United Kingdom and some other countries. This declaration does not promote peace, but on the contrary—further destabilizes the region and undermines the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future,” the ministry said, citing Hamas leaders who hailed the recognition as “the fruits of the October 7 massacre.”
Israel argued that separating statehood from negotiations ignores the reality on the ground, pointing to the Palestinian Authority’s alleged failure to stop incitement, its “pay-for-slay” policy, and recent weapons found near Ramallah. The statement further emphasized that the Palestinian Authority is “part of the problem and not part of the solution,” noting U.S. sanctions on Palestinian officials.
“Israel will not accept any detached and imaginary text that attempts to force it to accept indefensible borders. Political gestures aimed at a domestic voting audience only harm the Middle East,” the ministry added, urging world powers to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages and disarming instead.
By contrast, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the recognition as a historic step to protect the two-state solution and ensure justice for Palestinians. “The Foreign Ministry welcomes the recognition of the State of Palestine by various countries and considers it a protection of the two-state solution aimed at achieving peace,” the statement read.
Expressing gratitude to London, Ottawa, and Canberra, Palestine’s MFA described the decisions as “courageous” and in line with international law. It said the recognition affirms the “just and legitimate rights” of the Palestinian people, offering momentum to regional and international peace efforts spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and France.
“The Ministry affirms the readiness and willingness of the State of Palestine and its legitimate government to embark on building the strongest and most genuine relationships with these countries at all levels,” it added.
The Palestinian statement also called on the United States and other nations to follow suit. “This would contribute to lifting the injustice inflicted upon our people and enable them to exercise their right to self-determination, like the peoples and nations of the world,” it said, framing recognition as the pathway to ending occupation and restoring the political horizon for negotiations.
While Israel warned that the move only strengthens Hamas and pushes peace further away, Palestinians hailed it as a recognition of their struggle and a safeguard for the two-state vision. The contrasting reactions underline the deep fault lines in the international community’s approach to resolving one of the world’s most enduring conflicts. (ANI)
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