Rewarding Terror: Netanyahu Condemns UK, Canada, and Australia for Recognizing Palestine

Jerusalem – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized Britain, Canada, and Australia after the three countries announced recognition of a Palestinian state, accusing them of “rewarding terror” in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack.

Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israel would never allow a Palestinian state to be established west of the Jordan River.

“There will be no Palestinian state. The response to this latest attempt to impose a terror state in the heart of our land will come after my return from the United States,” he declared.

Addressing the leaders of the three nations, Netanyahu said, “I have a clear message for those recognizing a Palestinian state after the horrific October 7 massacre: You are rewarding terror with a huge prize. And I have another message: It will not happen. There will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan River.”

Reiterating his long-standing opposition to Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu emphasized his commitment to expanding Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

“For years, I have blocked the creation of that terror state, despite enormous domestic and international pressure. We have done so with determination and wise statesmanship. We have also doubled Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria, and we will continue on this path,” he stated.

The move by Britain, Canada, and Australia forms part of a broader international push to revive momentum for a two-state solution, but it has drawn strong criticism from both Israel and the United States.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the decision, calling it a serious misstep.

“Most countries have already recognized a Palestinian state in the past, which was a mistake. But those governments choosing to do so now are committing an immoral, outrageous, and particularly egregious act,” he said.

Sa’ar argued that such recognition, especially while Israel is conducting military operations against Hamas, would be remembered as shameful.

“Governments acting after October 7, while Israel continues its difficult campaign against Hamas and its partners, will be remembered with eternal shame. This is a prize for Hamas and a reward for terrorism, and also an unjustified reward for the Palestinian Authority,” he added.

He further criticized the Palestinian Authority for incentivizing terror through stipends to convicted attackers, citing recent US sanctions against the PA.

“Only recently, the US announced measures against the PA and its leaders due to its policy of rewarding terrorists. I am encouraged by opposition voices in the ‘recognizing countries’ who clearly oppose their governments’ actions, seeing them as wrong and distorted. We still have many friends in these countries,” Sa’ar said.

Emphasizing Israel’s sovereignty, he concluded, “But the guarantee that a Palestinian state will not be established — and it will not be — rests with the Israeli people. The nation overwhelmingly opposes this delusional idea. Our future will not be decided in London or Paris; it will be decided in Jerusalem. We will continue to fight resolutely on the diplomatic front against moves that threaten Israel. Our friends around the world, especially the United States, will stand with us. The eternity of Israel will not be compromised.”

With inputs from IANS