Netanyahu Rejects Palestinian State Amid International Recognitions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River, condemning recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood by countries including the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal as rewards for terrorism following Hamas's October 7 attacks. Netanyahu criticized these moves as destabilizing and vowed no Palestinian state would be created despite international pressure, emphasizing Israel's continued expansion in disputed territories. In contrast, the UK, Australia, and Canada framed their recognition as efforts to revive hope for a two-state solution, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasizing peace while condemning Hamas. The recognition has heightened diplomatic tensions, particularly between Israel and the recognizing countries, and may affect Australia's relations with the United States. Meanwhile, Mosab Hassan Yousef, a former Hamas insider turned Israeli informant, denounced Palestinian nationalism as a harmful and violent ideology that obstructs peace, aligning with Netanyahu's stance against Palestinian statehood. This complex backdrop underscores the deep divisions and competing narratives surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict amid ongoing violence and international diplomatic shifts.