‘No Palestinian state will be established’: Netanyahu vows to expand Jewish settlements in West Bank as Hamas hails ‘victory’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (Sep 21) said that there would be no Palestinian state in a statement addressed to Western leaders, rejecting the “one-sided” recognition. He further vowed to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank. This comes hours after the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia formally recognised the State of Palestine, citing long support for a two-state solution.

“I have a clear message for those leaders who recognise a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre on October 7: you are granting a huge reward to terror,” he said. “And I have another message for you: it will not happen. No Palestinian state will be established west of the Jordan River.”

He further added, “For years, I have prevented the creation of this terror state despite enormous pressure both domestically and internationally.”

“We have done so with determination and political wisdom. Moreover, we have doubled Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria and we will continue on this path,” Netanyahu said, using the Biblical name for the West Bank.

‘Sad day for those who seek true peace’

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that the recognition of Palestine state by Western countries was detrimental to those seeking peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

In a post on X, he said, “After the atrocities of October 7, while Hamas continues its campaign of terror, and while it continues to cruelly hold 48 hostages in the tunnels and dungeons of Gaza, the recognition of a Palestinian state by some nations today is, not surprisingly, cheered by Hamas.”

He added, “It will not help one Palestinian, it won’t help free one hostage, and it will not help us reach any settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. It will only embolden the forces of darkness. This is a sad day for those who seek true peace.”

‘Declaration does not promote peace’

Calling it a “one-sided” recognition of a Palestinian state by the Western nations, Israel’s foreign ministry warned that the move could further destabilise the region.

“Israel categorically rejects the one-sided declaration of the recognition of a Palestinian state made by the United Kingdom and some other countries,” the ministry said in a statement. “This declaration does not promote peace, but on the contrary further destabilises the region and undermines the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future.”

It further added, “Instead, if the countries that signed this declaration truly wish to stabilise the region, they should focus on pressuring Hamas to release the hostages and to disarm immediately. The declaration not only rewards the biggest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust by a terror organisation that is calling and acting for the annihilation of Israel, but also solidifies the support Hamas enjoys.”

“This move goes against all logic of negotiation and reaching a compromise between two sides, and it will push the desired peace further away,” the ministry said. “In any case, Israel will not accept any detached and imaginary text that attempts to force it to accept indefensible borders.”

Hamas hails ‘victory’

After the recognition of a Palestinian state by Britain, Canada, and Australia, a senior Hamas official hailed the move, describing it as a victory for the rights of Palestinians.

“These developments represent a victory for Palestinian rights and the justice of our cause, and send a clear message: no matter how far the occupation goes in its crimes, it will never be able to erase our national rights,” Mahmud Mardawi told AFP.