‘It won't happen’: After UK, Canada & Australia recognize ‘Palestine,’ PM Netanyahu vows to continue building new settlements

The prime ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia announced their recognition of the “State of Palestine” on Sunday afternoon, prompting harsh responses from Israeli leaders across the political spectrum.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed in a statement, “There will be no Palestinian state.”

Ahead of his planned trip to the UN General Assembly in New York later this week, Netanyahu said that Israel’s official response “to the latest attempt to impose a terror state upon us in the heart of our land” would come after his return from the United States.

“I have a clear message for those leaders who recognize a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre on October 7: you are granting a tremendous reward to terror. And I have another message for you: It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.”

“For years, I have prevented the establishment of this terror state in the face of immense pressure, both domestic and international… Not only that, we doubled Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria – and we will continue along this path,” he added.

Earlier on Sunday, the UK, Canadian and Austrian leaders issued separate statements announcing their decision within the span of an hour.

Keir Starmer, the prime minister of Great Britain, said the recognition was meant to “revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution” and to bring about an “end to the conflict in Gaza.”

Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognizes the State of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/yrg6Lywc1s

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 21, 2025

Starmer also defended himself against Israeli claims that such a recognition is a reward to Hamas.

“Hamas is a brutal terror organization. Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of their hateful vision,” Starmer said, “because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security.”

He added harsh condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza, saying that the “humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches new depths,” and criticizing the Israeli government’s “relentless and increasing bombardment of Gaza” and “the starvation and devastation.”

“We recognised the State of Israel, more than 75 years ago, as a homeland for the Jewish people,” Starmer stated. “Today, we join over 150 countries that recognise a Palestinian state also – a pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.”

The declarations by the UK, Canada and Australia were praised by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

“The United Kingdom’s recognition of the independent State of Palestine” constitutes “an important and necessary step toward achieving a just and lasting peace in accordance with international legitimacy,” Abbas’ office stated.

The statements drew sharp criticism from domestic opposition parties and prompted rare, unanimous condemnation across the Israeli political spectrum.

In the UK, Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, said Starmer’s decision was “absolutely disastrous” and warned that the nation would “rue the day it was made.

“Rewarding terrorism with no conditions whatsoever put in place for Hamas. It leaves hostages languishing in Gaza and does nothing to stop the suffering of innocent people caught in this war,” she charged.

later phoned Badenoch to thank her for her support, emphasized that Israel distinguishes between the people of England and its government, and extended an invitation for her to visit Israel.

“Most countries in the world have already recognized a Palestinian state in the past. That, of course, was a mistake. But those countries that are doing so now, after October 7th, are making a move that is not only mistaken, but also infuriating and immoral,” Sa’ar stated.

In addition to being a reward to Hamas, he said the recognition also constitutes “a reward for the Palestinian Authority, whose actions were recently described by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, explaining how it still upholds the practice of ‘Pay for Slay,’ by paying terrorists, and… encourages terror.”

My statement formally recognising the State of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/LnmrX29TCV

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) September 21, 2025

“The guarantee that a Palestinian state will not be established ultimately lies in the fierce and broad opposition that exists today among the people of Israel, who fully understand the dangers of establishing a terror state in the heart of the Land of Israel,” Sa’ar stated.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said he would propose to the Cabinet to respond through “the immediate application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and the complete dismantling of the ‘Palestinian’ Authority.”

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum also condemned the UK, Canada and Australia for their “unconditional recognition of a Palestinian state while turning a blind eye to the fact that 48 hostages remain in Hamas captivity.”

“As families who deeply want peace in the region, we believe that any discussion about recognizing a Palestinian state must be contingent upon the immediate release of all hostages,” the left-leaning forum said.

Today, Canada recognises the State of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/zhumVJRBfe

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) September 21, 2025

“Offering such significant political rewards without securing the return of all 48 of our loved ones represents a catastrophic failure of political, moral, and diplomatic leadership that will severely damage efforts to bring them all home.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid agreed that the decision is “a reward for terrorism,” but also used the occasion to blast the Israeli government for not preventing this “diplomatic disaster.”

“The government that brought upon us the terrible security disaster in our history is now bringing upon us also the most severe diplomatic crisis ever,” he wrote on 𝕏.

Centrist Blue and White party chairman Benny Gantz noted that the decision also sends “a clear message of support to Iran and its proxies.”

“If advancing peace & stability in the Middle East is what you seek, dear Western Leaders – and not buckling to domestic political pressure, then maximum pressure must be applied to Hamas to relinquish power and return the hostages before anything else,” said Gantz.

Even the far-left chairman of the Democrats party, Yair Golan, said the recognition was “destructive” and “extremely damaging” to Israel and that, despite supporting a two-state solution in principle, he wouldn’t endorse it “at this time.”

“We should now be talking about a process centered on separation, with security responsibility in Israel’s hands, a significant and thorough period during which Israel ensures that the other side is capable of upholding a future agreement,” Golan told the radio 103FM.

He was later sharply criticized by the Arab parties and left-wing NGOs for not supporting the three governments’ decision.