Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply denounced Western countries on Friday for recognising a Palestinian state, accusing them of “appeasing evil” and yielding to activists who have criticised Israel over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Netanyahu called the moves by France, Britain, Australia, Canada, and others “national suicide” for Israel. “It’s sheer madness, it’s insane and we won’t do it,” he said, reacting to the growing list of countries endorsing Palestinian independence. The Israeli PM argued that these nations were embracing statehood for Palestinians despite the “horrors committed by Hamas on 7 October — horrors praised on that day by nearly 90 per cent of the Palestinian population.” “This week, the leaders of France, Britain, Australia, Canada and other countries unconditionally recognised a Palestinian state. They did so after the horrors committed by Hamas on 7 October – horrors praised on that day by nearly 90% of the Palestinian population.” “You know what message the leaders who recognise the Palestinian state this week sent to the Palestinians?” Netanyahu said. “It’s a very clear message: murdering Jews pays off.” Netanyahu also claimed that while many world leaders publicly condemn Israel, “they thank us behind closed doors,” asserting that Israel’s actions are often misrepresented internationally. France on Monday formally recognised a Palestinian state, joining a growing list of countries taking this step amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the UN in New York on Monday, said “the time for peace has come” and emphasised that “nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza.” The announcement came during a one-day summit hosted by France and Saudi Arabia to advance plans for a two-state solution, which the United States and fellow G7 members Germany and Italy did not attend. The wave of recognition follows similar moves by the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, with Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and San Marino expected to follow. International pressure on Israel has intensified over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing settlement activity in the West Bank. Israel has opposed such recognitions, arguing they would reward Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attack that killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostage. The war in Gaza has since killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, with Israeli forces continuing a ground offensive in Gaza City, home to around one million residents, where famine conditions have been reported.
