Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticised the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia for formally recognising a Palestinian state, accusing the move of “rewarding terror” in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks.

“There will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan River,” Netanyahu declared before leaving for the United States. “Those leaders recognising a Palestinian state after the horrendous October 7 massacre are rewarding terror with an enormous prize. It’s not going to happen.”

Reaffirming his longstanding opposition to Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu said he has consistently resisted international pressure to accept such a proposal. He also underscored his government’s policy of expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, stating, “We have doubled the Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, and we will continue on this path.”

The decision by the three countries is part of a wider international push to revive momentum for a two-state solution. However, Israel and the United States have strongly opposed such recognition at this stage.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the move, calling it immoral and historically shameful. “These governments chose to recognise a Palestinian state precisely now, when Israel is fighting Hamas, making it a reward for terrorism,” he said.

Sa’ar also referenced recent U.S. sanctions on the Palestinian Authority over payments to convicted attackers, arguing that recognition undermines peace efforts and incentivises violence.

He stressed that Israel’s sovereignty would not be dictated by foreign capitals: “Our future will not be determined in London or Paris. It will be determined in Jerusalem. The eternity of Israel will not lie.”