Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday called the recognition of a Palestinian state by several Western countries a “sad day for those who seek true peace.”
Following the atrocities of Oct. 7, 2023, “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,” Herzog said.
“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,” he continued. “It will only embolden the forces of darkness.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday that there will not be a Palestinian state and said that an Israeli response to the recognitions will come upon his return from a visit to the United States.
“I have a clear message to those leaders who have recognized a Palestinian state after the terrible massacre of October 7: You are granting a huge prize to terrorism,” Netanyahu said. “And I have another message: It will not happen. There will be no Palestinian state west of Jordan.”
France and Saudi Arabia will convene world leaders in New York on Monday to voice support for a Palestinian state ahead of this week’s U.N. General Assembly.
