Following countries' recognition of Palestine, Netanyahu denounces and confirms his intention to expand settlements in the West Bank.

In a video released by his office, Netanyahu said, "For years, I have prevented the establishment of this terrorist state despite enormous pressure, both domestically and internationally." He added, "We have doubled the number of Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria (the biblical name for the West Bank) and will continue on this path," indicating that the response will come after his return from the United States.

Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom's recognition of the State of Palestine sparked outrage in Israel, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry announcing its rejection of the resolutions, and government ministers calling for a response by imposing sovereignty over the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "We will not accept any text that attempts to force us to accept 'indefensible borders.'" It claimed that recognizing the State of Palestine does not express support for peace, but rather rewards "the greatest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust."  

For his part, Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar said in a post on Twitter: “The recognition of a Palestinian state by Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom is an empty declaration that reeks of anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel,” he claimed, adding that “the most appropriate response is to apply Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria (the biblical name for the West Bank) and the Jordan Valley.”

"Award for the Palestinians"

The extremist Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, considered the recognition a "prize for the Palestinians," calling for immediate action to impose "sovereignty over the West Bank and completely crush the Palestinian Authority." He announced that he would present a proposal on this matter to the government at the next meeting.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana also attacked the British Prime Minister, describing him as a "hypocrite," according to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Development of the Negev and the Galilee, Yitzhak Wasserlauf, went so far as to completely deny the existence of the Palestinian people, claiming in a post on X that "the Land of Israel belongs only to the Israeli people. There is no Palestinian people and no Palestinian state."

In turn, the leader of the opposition Blue and White party, Benny Gantz, stated that "recognizing a Palestinian state strengthens Hamas and the Iranian axis, prolongs the war, and reduces the chances of returning the abducted (Israeli prisoners)."

He added in a post on X: "Western leaders, who care about promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, are expected not to succumb to domestic political pressures, but rather to increase pressure on Hamas to release the kidnapped (Israeli prisoners) and end its control of the government in Gaza."

Sovereignty over the West Bank

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Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also said via X: “The days when Britain and other countries determined our future are over. The mandate is over, and the only response to this anti-Israel move is sovereignty over the homeland of the Jewish people in Judea and Samaria (the Jewish name for the occupied West Bank), and removing the foolish idea of ​​a Palestinian state from the agenda forever,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, held Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government responsible for European countries' intention to recognize a Palestinian state.

"The unilateral recognition of the State of Palestine constitutes a grave diplomatic failure by Netanyahu and Smotrich, and a destructive step for Israel's security," he said via X. "This is a direct result of Netanyahu's political recklessness, his refusal to end the war, and his dangerous choice of occupation and annexation."

"The State of Israel needs a strong political foothold that will end the war, release the hostages, and ensure security for future generations," Golan said. He concluded by saying, "The issue of a demilitarized Palestinian state can and should be part of a broad regional arrangement led by Israel that guarantees our security interests; and that is what we will do when we replace this dangerous government."

"The worst political crisis"

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said on his Twitter account, "The Netanyahu government has brought Israel the worst security disaster in its history (referring to the events of October 7), and is now also bringing about its most dangerous political crisis ever."

On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked military bases and settlements near Gaza, killing and capturing Israelis, in response to the Israeli occupation's daily crimes against the Palestinian people and their holy sites, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to the movement.

Israeli officials consider what happened on October 7 to be the greatest Israeli intelligence and military failure, causing significant damage to Israel's image and its military worldwide.

Lapid considered the unilateral recognition of the State of Palestine by Britain, Australia, and Canada a "political catastrophe, a bad move, and a reward for terrorism," concluding: "An effective Israeli government could have prevented this through intelligent and serious action, professional political discourse, and accurate information."

This escalating Israeli rhetoric comes at a time when international recognition of Palestine is expanding. Earlier today, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom announced their recognition of the State of Palestine, coinciding with the start of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 65,283 martyrs and 166,575 wounded, most of them children and women, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 442 Palestinians, including 147 children.