Israel reacted angrily to the joint recognition of the State of Palestine by Britain, Canada, and Australia, denouncing the move as a “reward for terrorism” while opposition voices warned it reflects the growing cost of the government’s extremist policies.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking from the United States, vowed that “there will be no Palestinian state,” insisting that Israel’s response would be announced upon his return. Other senior ministers called for immediate annexation of the West Bank, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declaring that “sovereignty over Judea and Samaria” was the only fitting reply. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir similarly demanded the “crushing” of the Palestinian Authority, while the Minister of Culture dismissed the recognition as “anti-Semitic.”

The settler leadership went further, threatening that any government failing to annex the West Bank “has no right to exist.” Meanwhile, Israeli opposition figures placed the blame squarely on Netanyahu’s far-right coalition, arguing that relentless settlement expansion and rejectionist policies had driven even Israel’s traditional allies to back Palestinian statehood. Media commentary reflected deep unease, with outlets calling the recognitions everything from “a diplomatic blow” to “an international flood,” underscoring fears of mounting global isolation.