With France and Arab allies pushing “Palestinian statehood,” Israel faces growing diplomatic pressure, but Jerusalem insists unilateral recognitions reward Hamas after October 7.
At a UN summit co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, the two nations issued a stern warning to Israel on Monday, declaring that “any form of annexation” in response to the West’s wave of recognitions of a Palestinian state would cross a “red line.”
The joint statement urged Israel to embrace a two-state solution, halt settlement activity, and end settler violence. “Annexation constitutes a direct risk to existing and future peace agreements,” the communiqué warned, as Paris and Riyadh sought to spotlight growing international support for the Palestinian cause.
In recent days, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, San Marino, Andorra, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal have all moved to recognize “Palestine.” European diplomats hailed this as a breakthrough for the two-state solution, while Israel denounced the rush as reckless appeasement of terror.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the recognitions outright, stressing that Palestinian statehood cannot be imposed while Hamas still holds 48 Israeli hostages and continues to wage war. Some ministers in his government are calling for annexation of parts of the West Bank as retaliation.
While the Trump administration has privately urged Israel not to annex territory at this time, senior officials in Jerusalem insist the matter is still “on the table” and will be discussed at Netanyahu’s upcoming White House meeting with President Trump. Washington has consistently blamed European recognitions—not Israeli policy—for escalating tensions.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said London recognized Palestine out of a “moral obligation” to preserve the two-state vision, while Germany, which has not yet recognized Palestine, warned against any Israeli annexation. Saudi Arabia, which Israel has courted for normalization, hinted annexation could have “major implications,” while the UAE labeled it a “red line.”
The Riyadh-Paris statement also demanded an end to the IDF’s Gaza campaign, a permanent ceasefire, and the transfer of control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (PA) with international backing. France proposed a stabilization mission, while praising PA President Mahmoud Abbas for pledging reforms, including abolishing the “pay-to-slay” system.
Still, Israel and the United States maintain that unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood now amounts to a reward for Hamas terrorists who murdered 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023.
As Netanyahu prepares for his White House meeting, the diplomatic divide is clear: Jerusalem and Washington demand hostages first, while Europe and Arab states push symbolism that risks undermining Israel’s security.
