DayofPal— Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar issued a sharp warning Sunday, threatening retaliatory “unilateral steps” if European nations follow through on growing calls to recognize a Palestinian state.
The warning comes just weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron signaled that Paris could extend formal recognition to Palestine as soon as June.
Macron’s comments, made April 9, hinted at a broader diplomatic push, potentially involving Arab states, to simultaneously recognize both Israel and Palestine in pursuit of a regional peace solution. But Israeli officials are firmly pushing back.
“Any unilateral recognition will only damage the prospects of a genuine, two-sided process,” Sa’ar declared during a tense press briefing alongside German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in occupied Jerusalem. “It will push us to respond with unilateral actions.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also rebuffed Macron’s suggestion in stark terms, calling a Palestinian state “a threat to Israel’s very existence.”
“It’s not a peace plan — it’s a plan for destruction,” Netanyahu said. “I will not endanger our country for illusions detached from reality.”
Adding to the diplomatic friction, Sa’ar voiced enthusiastic support for a new U.S. aid plan for Gaza unveiled Friday by American Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Notably, the plan excludes Israel from the distribution framework.
“Israel fully supports the Trump administration’s aid vision,” Sa’ar said.
The plan, however, comes with deeply controversial undertones. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12 on Saturday, Huckabee confirmed the U.S. continues to back the forced the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, a stance widely condemned by international observers and human rights organizations.
“If Gazans wish to leave, the U.S. will be happy to help,” Huckabee stated, adding that Gulf states are expected to contribute to rebuilding efforts in the enclave.
German Foreign Minister Wadephul offered a more tempered tone, warning that Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza cannot deliver lasting peace.
“The war cannot be resolved by force,” Wadephul said. While reiterating Berlin’s unwavering support for Israel’s security, he insisted that critique of Israeli policies must not be silenced. “Criticism is not antisemitism,” he asserted.
Wadephul also raised concerns about the humanitarian toll of the war and questioned whether Israel’s actions are truly enhancing its security. “Gaza is undeniably part of Palestinian territory,” he stated. “There must be a political solution.”
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s campaign in Gaza has drawn accusations of genocide, with widespread destruction, civilian deaths, displacement, and deliberate starvation tactics reported.
Despite mounting global outrage and multiple rulings from the International Court of Justice, the bombardment continues.
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