Critics say that Britain, like more and more European countries, is approaching the Israel-Hamas war the wrong way around. Instead of threatening to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel quickly ends its fight against the terror group behind October 7th, the UK’s Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) says it should propose taking the issue of statehood off the table “if the hostages are not returned by September or sooner.”
After the Netherlands sanctioned Israeli officials on Tuesday, the Dutch Farmer–Citizen Movement (BoerBurgerBeweging, BBB) agreed that “the Netherlands and the EU must support Israel in the fight against the terrorist organisation Hamas.”
Make room for humanitarian aid, but Hamas is the instigator.
CAA officials warned that by putting the onus on Israel, governments are sending “the worst possible message: that mass murder, rape, and hostage-taking are legitimate paths to diplomatic gain.”
This is not a step toward peace; it is a dangerous precedent. … This is about appeasement, and it will only embolden extremists, including Hamas, who now know that they need only hang on until September—holding the hostages and looting aid—to receive their reward.
But this message is not getting through to Western governments, 15 of which urged a recognition of a Palestinian state on Tuesday. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot later asked “those who have not yet done so to join us.”
A New York avec 14 autres pays, la France lance un appel collectif : nous exprimons notre volonté de reconnaître l'Etat de Palestine et invitons ceux qui ne l’ont pas encore fait à nous rejoindre. pic.twitter.com/faCYTYwmES
The European Commission is also now pushing to partially suspend Israel from participating in its ‘Horizon’ research and development program because the situation in Gaza “remains severe.”
Tammy Bruce of the U.S. state department described Britain’s ultimatum as a “slap in the face” for victims of October 7th, adding that “it gives one group hope, and that’s Hamas.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said it would come back to bite the UK, because “a jihadist state on Israel’s border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW.”
Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you too. It will not happen.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
