Israel says it will stop official visits to nations that recognize Palestine as a state.
The move targets France, UK, Germany, and Canada amid rising global support for Palestine.
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Israel has declared it will halt official state visits to countries that recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, signaling a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions over the two-state solution.
In a statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the government said it would bar official engagements with France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada if those nations proceed with recognition of Palestinian statehood. The ministry described such moves as endangering Israel’s security and undermining regional stability.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced this stance, asserting that unilateral recognition of Palestine at this time would “undermine the prospects for genuine peace.” He emphasized that lasting peace can only be achieved through direct negotiations, not through external declarations or symbolic gestures by foreign governments.
“Any move to recognize a Palestinian state outside the framework of negotiations encourages extremism and rewards terrorism,” Netanyahu said, referencing recent escalations between Israeli forces and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza and the West Bank.
The announcement follows growing international momentum in support of Palestinian statehood. In recent months, countries like Spain, Ireland, and Norway have moved toward recognition, prompting backlash from Israeli officials. The move also comes amid rising civilian casualties and heightened scrutiny of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Canada, the UK, France, and Germany have each expressed support for a two-state solution, though formal recognition of Palestine remains under debate within their respective governments. Advocates argue that recognition could help advance peace by affirming Palestinian rights under international law.
However, critics, including Israeli leaders, maintain that such recognitions sidestep the peace process and embolden groups opposed to Israel’s existence.
This diplomatic freeze could have broader implications for bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas of defense, technology, and intelligence-sharing, where Israel maintains strong ties with the affected nations.
Observers note that Israel’s move risks further isolating it diplomatically, particularly in Europe, where public sentiment has increasingly tilted toward Palestinian statehood amid the prolonged humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
