The UK, Australia and Canada have formally recognised a Palestinian state, prompting an angry response from Israel.
The coordinated initiative reflects growing outrage at Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza and the steps taken by the Israeli government to thwart efforts to create a Palestinian state, including by the continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK’s move is intended “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis.”
He insisted it wasn’t a reward for Hamas, which was behind the attack on October 7th, 2023, in which the militants killed some 1200 people and abducted 251 others.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the three countries for proferring a “prize” to Hamas.
He said a Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said a final Cabinet decision would be made on the recognition of Palestine as a state towards the end of the week.
Luxon said as a government, they are not pro Palestine or pro Israel, they are just pro peace.
Source : stuf.co.nz
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