Israel condemns Palestinian recognition, threatens unilateral countermeasures globally

DDM News

Israel has issued a stern warning against ongoing international moves to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state, stating that such actions could prompt retaliatory steps from the Israeli government.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, made this statement on Sunday, May 11, during a joint press briefing held in Jerusalem with German Deputy Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul.

Saar expressed strong opposition to what he described as a growing global inclination to recognise a Palestinian state without a formal agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The Israeli diplomat stated that unilateral recognitions will not advance peace in the region but will instead sabotage the chances of any future bilateral negotiation.

He warned that if any country proceeds with this plan, Israel will be compelled to respond with its own set of unilateral actions.

Saar further described the idea of granting statehood recognition outside a negotiation framework as “a reward for Hamas terrorism,” implying that such moves could strengthen extremist elements in the region.

He reiterated Israel’s position that a two-state solution must emerge strictly from direct talks, not through external pressure or symbolic recognitions by foreign governments.

In response, Germany’s Deputy Foreign Minister Wadephul maintained that Germany still supports a two-state solution but called for caution in the timing and process of any such recognitions.

He noted that recognising Palestinian statehood prematurely could further divide the region and reduce the likelihood of a sustainable peace.

Wadephul also criticised Israel’s illegal settlement expansions in the West Bank, warning that such policies could undermine peace prospects just as much as rushed recognitions.

The recent increase in global support for Palestinian statehood follows the deadly October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants on Israeli territory, which led to an ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

The conflict has claimed thousands of civilian lives and displaced many more, sparking outrage and calls for international intervention.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron recently announced that Paris could formally recognise a Palestinian state by June during a United Nations conference, stating that the time has come to take bold steps toward peace.

France’s move mirrors actions already taken by Ireland, Norway, and Spain in May 2024, with Slovenia joining the list shortly after in June.

So far, nearly 150 nations globally have recognised the State of Palestine, arguing that continued occupation, violence, and stalled negotiations leave them no choice but to act.

Israel continues to argue that such recognitions only embolden radical groups and remove incentives for the Palestinian leadership to engage in meaningful peace talks.

The debate over Palestinian statehood dates back decades to the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan, which proposed separate Jewish and Arab states.

Though Israel was established in 1948, a Palestinian state has yet to emerge, with peace negotiations repeatedly collapsing over the years due to disputes over borders, security, refugees, and the status of Jerusalem.

The latest developments mark a critical turning point, as the international community appears increasingly willing to act independently of Israeli consent.

Observers warn that without renewed diplomatic engagement, the region could face further instability and violence in the months ahead.

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