“Eternal shame”: Israel blasts Western nations over Palestinian statehood recognition
Jerusalem says recognitions reward Hamas atrocities, ignore hostages and fuel instability rather than peace.
Israel Today
Sep 23, 2024
The UK's Keir Starmer, Canada's Mark Carney and Australia's Anthon Albanese simultaneously recognized the State of Palestine
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar blasted the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia for their near-simultaneous recognition of a Palestinian state, calling the move “a prize for Hamas” that will be “remembered with eternal shame.” He added that a Palestinian state “will not be established,” stressing that Israel’s future “will be determined in Jerusalem—not London or Paris.”
The coordinated recognitions—announced minutes apart—mark a sharp break with traditional Western caution and arrive while Hamas still holds Israeli hostages and controls Gaza. Ottawa published a formal statement of recognition by Prime Minister Mark Carney; London released Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s speech; and Canberra confirmed recognition as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived for the UN General Assembly.
"He walks!" France's Emmanuel Macron followed the UK, Canada and Australia in recognizing the State of Palestine
Adding to the wave, France on Monday formally recognized a Palestinian state. President Emmanuel Macron announced the decision personally from the UN General Assembly hall in New York, drawing loud applause from delegates. He incredibly claimed the move was a “defeat for Hamas.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry, however, said the recognitions “destabilize the region,” noting Hamas leaders themselves have portrayed the diplomatic push as the “fruit” of Oct. 7. The ministry also pointed to the Palestinian Authority’s continued “pay-for-slay” stipends—sanctioned by Washington in recent weeks—as proof the PA remains “part of the problem.”
The United States distanced itself, with a State Department spokesperson privately dismissing the recognitions as “performative gestures,” saying Washington’s priorities remain the hostages’ release, Israel’s security, and a durable end to Hamas rule.
Domestic backlash has also emerged inside the recognizing states. In Britain, opposition leaders condemned the move as “disastrous,” and fresh polling reported by The Telegraph found nearly 90% of Britons oppose unconditional recognition, with a majority rejecting recognition while Hamas still controls Gaza and holds hostages.
Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon dismissed the declarations as “empty,” arguing that defeating Hamas “won’t be achieved by performative speeches” but by Israel’s sustained pressure on the ground. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, citing British and French public opinion, said he stands with “citizens, not misguided politicians.”
Bottom line: Jerusalem’s message is unambiguous—recognition under fire rewards Oct. 7 and hardens the conflict’s worst incentives. With France now joining the UK, Canada, and Australia, the diplomatic drumbeat is growing. Israel’s response, Sa’ar and other officials say, will be to double down on security control and reject any effort to impose a Palestinian state “from abroad” while Hamas remains intact.
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