On September 21, 2025, Israel strongly condemned the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia for their unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized this move as destabilizing and a direct reward for Hamas's violence, specifically referencing the October 7, 2023 attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel's firm opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, vowing a significant response upon his return from the UN General Assembly in New York. Israel's official position is that the Palestinian National Authority is part of the problem, not the solution, and that such unilateral declarations undermine the prospects for a peaceful resolution. Netanyahu emphasized that a Palestinian state would not be established west of the Jordan River and indicated continued expansion of Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria.
This diplomatic development occurred as the two-state solution was a key agenda item at the upcoming UN General Assembly. On September 12, 2025, the UN General Assembly had overwhelmingly adopted the "New York Declaration," which supports a two-state solution and calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. This resolution, sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, faced opposition from Israel and the United States, who argued it was a gift to Hamas and a hollow gesture that weakened the Assembly's credibility.
Several nations, including France and Portugal, were also expected to recognize a Palestinian state around the same time, adding to the more than 145 countries that had already done so. Critics of unilateral recognition, such as the American Jewish Committee, argue that it rewards terrorism, undermines direct negotiations, and removes incentives for Palestinian leadership to pursue peace and implement necessary reforms. Conversely, proponents suggest that recognition can reinvigorate the peace process and strengthen Palestinian claims to sovereignty. In response to these recognitions, the Israeli government is reportedly considering measures such as annexing parts of the West Bank, highlighting the deep divisions and the challenging path toward resolving the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.