Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that a Palestinian state will never be established west of the Jordan River, responding to nations that recently recognised Palestine.
Portugal formally recognised Palestinian statehood on Sunday, joining the UK, Canada, and Australia, among others, in a growing list of countries taking the step since the start of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
“I have a clear message to those leaders who recognise a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre on October 7 – you are handing a huge reward to terror,” Netanyahu said in a video statement posted on X on Sunday.
“It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan,” he added, noting that he has prevented such a development for years despite “tremendous pressure” both domestically and internationally.
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Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Israel responded with a blockade and an extensive military operation in Gaza, resulting in more than 65,000 deaths, according to Hamas-run health authorities.
The military campaign has triggered growing international pressure. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently cancelled nearly €1 billion ($1.18 billion) in military contracts with Israeli companies on Tuesday.
Last week, Netanyahu said Israel must build a more self-sufficient economy. “We may find ourselves in a situation where our defence industries are blocked,” he said in a speech on Sunday. “We have no choice. At least in the coming years, we will have to deal with these attempts at isolation.”
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