Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar articulated strong opposition to the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state on Sunday, emphasizing that such actions would compel Israel to undertake its own unilateral measures. This statement came amid announcements from several nations considering the recognition of Palestine, prompting Saar to voice concerns about the implications for future peace negotiations.
During a press conference in Jerusalem alongside German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Saar described the ongoing discussions surrounding the recognition initiative as detrimental to prospects for bilateral resolutions. “Any attempt to do so unilaterally will only harm future prospects for a bilateral process and will push us for unilateral actions in response,” he stated. He characterized these initiatives as “not constructive but counterproductive,” suggesting they would serve to reward Hamas for its acts of violence.
Wadephul concurred on the importance of a two-state solution, declaring it the best viable route for achieving lasting peace, security, and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians. However, he cautioned that this solution should not be hindered by illegal settlement expansions in the West Bank or by what he termed “premature recognition” of Palestinian statehood.
Recent developments highlight a growing international sentiment toward recognizing Palestinian statehood. French President Emmanuel Macron announced last month that France intends to consider recognizing Palestine as a state during an upcoming United Nations conference in New York. In an interview, Macron expressed, “We must move towards recognition, and we will do so in the coming months.” This declaration was met with enthusiasm from Hamas, which labeled the announcement as an important advancement.
Currently, nearly 150 countries have extended recognition to a Palestinian state. Recent months have seen a surge in recognition efforts, with Ireland, Norway, and Spain making formal declarations in May 2024, followed by Slovenia in June. These actions appear to be motivated by increasing global concern over the humanitarian crisis resulting from Israel’s military operations in Gaza, characterized by significant civilian casualties.
