【By Liu Bai, Observer Net】After the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal formally recognized the State of Palestine, Israel was furious. An Israeli official threatened that Israel is considering "completely or partially annexing the West Bank" as a response. Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel vowed to respond to the move of recognizing Palestine, stating, "There will never be a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River."

Meanwhile, facing the wave of recognition for the State of Palestine, a spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State echoed Israel's stance, criticizing the allies' move as "a show."

According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu said on the morning of the 21st that Israel would respond to calls for establishing a Palestinian state, he called for "opposing" this move, claiming it would "threaten (Israel's) survival."

Later that day, in a formal statement, Netanyahu said Israel would respond after he returned from the United States. He criticized the countries that recognized the State of Palestine, saying they were "rewarding terrorism greatly."

"This won't happen," he continued, "there will never be a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River."

He then said that Israel would double the number of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, "we will continue down this road."

"In response to the recent attempt to impose a 'terrorist state' on us at the center of our land, Israel will give its response after I return from the United States," Netanyahu said, "wait and see."

Netanyahu flew to New York on the 17th, then went to Washington, and is expected to return to Israel on the 24th.

Additionally, an Israeli official stated, "As a response, the option of fully or partially annexing the West Bank is currently under consideration."

On May 23, in Salfit near the West Bank, the flag of Israel is flying on a small hill adjacent to Palestinian property. Visual China

CNN reported on September 2 that two Israeli officials had said that Israel is considering annexing parts of the occupied West Bank to retaliate against multiple Western countries planning to recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly this month.

The officials said that Netanyahu is considering various options for the scale and level of annexation, ranging from annexing a few settlements to annexing the entire C area (which covers 60% of the West Bank).

According to the Oslo Accords reached in the 1990s between Israel and the PLO, the West Bank is divided into three areas, A, B, and C, with C completely controlled by Israel.

Two officials said one of the main plans being considered by Israel is the annexation of the Jordan Valley, a narrow strip along the eastern edge of the West Bank along the Jordan River. Officials said there is broader public consensus within Israel for this proposal, and Israel needs it as a security barrier, which is an easier reason to explain to the international community, especially to the United States.

However, the report noted that Netanyahu's right-wing allies Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, as well as the settlement leaders, oppose partial annexation and advocate for maximum schemes, i.e., asserting sovereignty over all territories without Palestinian residents, thereby surrounding Palestinian population centers, making it impossible for Palestine to establish a state within Israel's "territory."

CNN said that Israel's annexation would violate several UN Security Council resolutions and trigger serious diplomatic backlash. International law considers the Jewish settlements in the West Bank illegal, and the UN reaffirmed this position in Resolution 2334 in 2016, calling it "a clear violation of international law" and having "no legal effect."

Reuters, which also covered the story, said it is unclear when such (annexation) measures will be implemented, but Israel's potential annexation could face international condemnation.

UK Prime Minister Starmer delivered a speech on X on the 21st, stating, "We are today recognizing the State of Palestine to rekindle hope for peace between Palestinians and Israelis... Today we have joined the ranks of over 150 countries that have recognized the State of Palestine."

He added, "We are working to maintain peace and the possibility of a two-state solution," and emphasized that he has instructed sanctions against other members of Hamas in the coming weeks.

Starmer emphasized, "Hamas should have no role in Palestine, either in the future or in management or security."

Sky News in the UK noted that the Foreign Office website has updated maps, now labeling the West Bank and Gaza as "Palestine" rather than "occupied Palestinian territory."

Foreign Office website map update

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau also announced that Canada "now recognizes the State of Palestine."

Trudeau said in a statement, "Canada offers its partnership to build a peaceful and hopeful future for the State of Palestine and the State of Israel."

Australian Prime Minister Albanese also stated in a statement, "Australia formally recognizes the independent and sovereign State of Palestine."

The statement added, "The country recognizes the legitimate and deep-rooted aspirations of the Palestinian people for their own state."

He explained that Australia's recognition, along with Canada and the UK, is part of international coordinated efforts to create new momentum for the two-state solution and start with the ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. The statement pointed out that Hamas should not have a foothold in Palestine.

Portugal's Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said late on the 21st in New York that Portugal also recognizes the State of Palestine, "recognizing the State of Palestine is fulfilling a fundamental, consistent, and widely recognized policy."

He added that Portugal advocates the two-state solution as the only way to achieve just and lasting peace, "promoting coexistence and peaceful relations between Israel and Palestine."

French President Macron earlier emphasized that France's recognition of the State of Palestine "represents the beginning of the path to peace," and France hopes for immediate peace, ceasefire, release of hostages, and aid entering Gaza.

The UN General Assembly in September will discuss the two-state solution regarding Palestine. Previously, France, Australia, Canada, Portugal, and the UK, among other Western countries, had announced plans to recognize the State of Palestine during this period.

Facing the wave of recognition for the State of Palestine, a U.S. Department of State spokesperson, who requested anonymity, told AFP that the moves of important allies including the UK, Australia, and Canada to recognize the State of Palestine are "a show."

"Our focus remains on serious diplomacy, not a show," he said. "Our priorities are clear: releasing hostages, ensuring Israel's security, and only after getting rid of Hamas can the region possibly achieve peace and prosperity."

Faris Al-Ghabeekian Shahin, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, said that the countries about to recognize the State of Palestine are taking irreversible steps to uphold the two-state solution and bring Palestine's independence and sovereignty closer.

Shahin told reporters, "It's time. Tomorrow is a historic day, and we need to continue working on this basis. This is not the end."

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