Recognizing Palestinian statehood will destabilize the Middle East, Israel’s foreign minister warned on Tuesday, September 9th, after several nations announced their intention to support the initiative.
President Emmanuel Macron said in July that France would recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly meeting later this month. Several other countries—including Australia, Belgium and Canada—have since followed suit, saying they will do the same.
Israeli FM Gideon Sa’ar said recognizing a Palestinian state rewards Hamas for its October 7th attack and will only destabilize the region, not bring peace or security. The minister also emphasized that peace must come through bilateral talks, not international decisions.
Israeli opposition to international recognition of a State of Palestine has been a consistent response to the October 7th pogrom, a sentiment summed up by Israeli lawyer and politician Amir Ohana, who retorted
If you wish for that … put it up in London, Paris, in your countries.
