Four Countries Plan to Recognize Palestine, Israeli Foreign Minister: Increasing Regional Instability

JAKARTA - Recognition of a Palestinian state is a 'gift' to terrorism, distancing resolution, and increasing regional instability, Israeli officials say.

This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Israel Katz last Monday, regarding plans by four European countries, namely Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Malta to recognize the Palestinian state.

Last Friday, in the name of Middle East peace, Spain said it had agreed with Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia to take the first steps towards recognizing Palestinian-declared statehood in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.

"The recognition of a Palestinian state after the October 7 massacre sends a message to Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations, deadly terror attacks against Israeli citizens will be met with political gestures against Palestinians," wrote Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on social media X, quoted from Reuters March 26.

The Gaza Strip is known to have long been under the rule of the militant group Hamas, which rejects peace with Israel. The group's attack on Israel's southern region on October 7 triggered a devastating war and humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

"Resolution of the conflict will only be possible through direct negotiations between the parties. Any involvement in the recognition of a Palestinian state will only distance the achievement of a resolution and increase regional instability," tweeted Foreign Minister Katz.

Foreign Minister Katz did not specify what kind of resolution he had in mind. However, Israel, whose coalition government includes right-wing pro-settlement groups, has long ruled out a Palestinian state.

This put them at odds with Western countries who supported their goal of defeating Hamas, but wanted a blueprint for post-war diplomacy.