Netanyahu warns that a Palestinian state ‘will not happen’

The Israeli Prime Minister has said that he has fought against a two-state solution despite facing “tremendous pressure”

A Palestinian state will never be established west of the River Jordan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said in reply to nations that have recently recognized Palestine.

Portugal followed the UK, Canada and Australia and formally recognized Palestinian statehood on Sunday, joining a growing list of countries to take the step since the start of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

“I have a clear message to those leaders who recognize a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre on October 7 – you are handing a huge reward to terror,” Netanyahu said in a video statement on X on Sunday.

“It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan,” he said, adding that he has prevented this for years despite facing “tremendous pressure” at home and abroad.

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Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostage back to Gaza.

West Jerusalem responded with a blockade and extensive military operation against the Palestinian enclave, killing more than 65,000 Gazans, according to the local Hamas-run health authorities.

Israel’s escalating military campaign has seen it faced with mounting international pressure, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez canceling nearly a €1 billion ($1.18 billion) in military contracts with Israeli firms on Tuesday.

Last week, Netanyahu warned that Israel needs to start building a more self-sufficient economy.

READ MORE: Israel must prepare for ‘isolation’ – Netanyahu

“We may find ourselves in a situation where our defense industries are blocked,” he said in a speech on Sunday. “We have no choice. At least in the coming years, we will have to deal with these attempts at isolation.”