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The United States reacted after the decision of several key allies, including Britain, Australia and Canada, to recognize the state of Palestine.
For Washington, this is just for show. "Our focus remains on serious diplomacy, not on showy gestures."
"Our priorities are clear: the release of the hostages, the security of Israel, and the peace and prosperity for the entire region that is only possible without Hamas," a US State Department spokesman said. Britain, Australia, Canada and Portugal recognized the State of Palestine on Sunday.
This historic shift in relation to decades of Western foreign policy caused immediate anger in Israel and criticism from the US.
Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip welcomed the recognition as a victory, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed in response that a Palestinian state would never exist. Netanyahu has described the recognition of a Palestinian state as a threat to Israel's existence.
This would “endanger our existence” and is “an absurd reward for terrorism,” he said. Other countries, including France, have also hinted they will recognize a Palestinian state during talks at the annual opening of the UN General Assembly in New York.
So far, more than 140 UN member states have recognized the Palestinian state.
France, Britain, Spain, Canada and Australia announced official recognition of the state of Palestine on Sunday, in a bid to increase pressure on Israel as it continues its campaign in Gaza despite international outrage.
The three countries, all strong allies of Israel for decades, also expressed deep disappointment at the lack of progress toward a two-state solution.
Portugal announced that it too had officially recognized a Palestinian state, adding that a two-state solution was "the only path to a just and lasting peace."
France and several other countries are expected to follow suit at the United Nations General Assembly this week, deepening Israel's isolation and putting them at odds with Israel's main partner, the United States.
"Today, to revive hope for peace and a two-state solution, I declare clearly, as Prime Minister of this great country, that the United Kingdom officially recognizes the State of Palestine. We recognized the State of Israel more than 75 years ago as a homeland for the Jewish people. Today we join over 150 countries that also recognize a Palestinian state. A promise to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future," said Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that "there will be no Palestinian state."
"I have a clear message for those leaders who recognize a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre of October 7: You are giving a huge reward to terrorism. And I have another message for you: This will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River. For years, I have prevented the creation of this terrorist state despite tremendous pressure both domestically and internationally. We did so with determination and we did so with diplomatic wisdom. Moreover, we doubled Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria - and we will continue on this path. The response to the latest attempt to impose a terrorist state in the heart of our land will be given after my return from the United States. Wait," Netanyahu declared.
The United States criticized the recognition of Palestinian statehood by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal, calling it a "brag" and stating that it "prioritizes serious diplomacy" in the Middle East.
"We continue to prioritize serious diplomacy over showmanship. Our priorities are clear: the release of the hostages, the security of Israel, and peace and prosperity for the entire region, which cannot be guaranteed as long as Hamas exists," a State Department spokesman said, according to Agence France Presse.
Worldwide, almost 150 of the 193 UN member states have already recognized a Palestinian state. However, from the Palestinian perspective, the decision of several key Western states is particularly significant. If France follows Britain as planned, then four of the five UN veto powers, including Russia and China, will have recognized a Palestinian state - only the United States has not.
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