Israel’s Swift Action Against European Recognition of Palestinian State

Following the decision by European countries to recognize a Palestinian state, Israeli politicians are furious and have taken swift action. In response to Norway, Ireland, and Spain’s recognition of Palestine, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz quickly withdrew ambassadors from the three European nations and summoned their representatives to Israel to express his displeasure. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also made a bold statement by threatening to cut off financial support to the Palestinian Authority. He informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his intention to withhold tax payments to the Authority due to their unilateral recognition efforts.

While the construction of new settlements in the West Bank faces legal challenges and backlash from the international community, Israeli politicians are prioritizing their response for the benefit of their constituents. With over half a million Israeli settlers living in the West Bank, the region remains a contentious issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition to financial sanctions, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant took steps to facilitate Jewish control over the region by allowing Israelis to re-enter an area in the West Bank that was off-limits since 2005. He emphasized the importance of Jewish control over the region for security and settlement development.

Israeli politicians are incensed by Europe’s recognition of a Palestinian state and are taking immediate action. In response, they have set groundwork for new settlements in