Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded Sunday with defiance after the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia announced near-simultaneous recognition of a Palestinian state, calling the move a “prize for terrorism” in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacre.
“I have a clear message to those leaders who have recognized a Palestinian state after the terrible massacre of October 7: You are granting a huge prize to terrorism,” Netanyahu declared. “And I have another message: It will not happen. There will be no Palestinian state west of Jordan.”
The Israeli leader reminded listeners that he has consistently resisted international pressure for a two-state solution, while doubling Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. He promised an official response once he returns from New York, where he will address the UN General Assembly and meet US President Donald Trump.
Western declarations, Hamas’s reward
In statements issued within minutes of one another, London, Ottawa, and Canberra framed recognition as a way to “keep alive the hope of peace.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was aware the Israeli government seeks to block such a state, but nonetheless announced recognition. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed the language of inevitability, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his decision was made to “revive the hope” of two states.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the moves outright: “This declaration does not promote peace, but destabilizes the region. Hamas leaders themselves openly admit: This recognition is the ‘fruit’ of the October 7 massacre. Don’t let jihadist ideology dictate your policy.”
Recognition is 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 October 7 massacre.
Don’t let Jihadist ideology dictate your… pic.twitter.com/L70nmWm0Xq
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) September 21, 2025
Domestic backlash in Israel
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for an immediate countermeasure: annexing Judea and Samaria. “The recognition by the UK, Canada and Australia of a ‘Palestinian’ state, as a prize for the murderous Nukhba terrorists, requires immediate countermeasures: sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and dismantling the Palestinian Authority.”
International criticism of recognition
US Jewish organizations and senior Republicans in Congress also denounced the declarations. Rep. Brian Mast called it “empty virtue signaling.” Sen. Lindsey Graham likened it to “rewarding modern-day religious Nazis” and warned that Oct. 7 will now be celebrated by terrorists as “liberation day.” The American Jewish Committee called it a “dangerous signal that terrorism is acceptable,” while AIPAC described it as “sanctioning terror.”
The Orthodox Union noted the bitter irony: Israel left Gaza in 2005, and Hamas turned it into a fortress of terror. “Rewarding terrorism undermines the very foundation of peace,” the group said.
Analysis
The synchronized recognition by three Western democracies signals a political gesture, not a peace strategy. For Israel, the reality remains unchanged: Palestinian factions continue to glorify Oct. 7 as victory, the Palestinian Authority continues “pay for slay,” and no Palestinian leadership has shown the capacity—or the will—to disarm Hamas.
Netanyahu’s declaration was unequivocal. The world may issue declarations from afar. But on the ground, in Israel’s heartland, there will be no Palestinian state.
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