The formal recognition of Palestinian statehood by a number of countries in recent days has provoked anger and alarm from Israeli officials, raising fears among Palestinians about how Israel’s government might respond.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right national security minister, said on Monday night that the moves demanded “immediate countermeasures,” including the annexation of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Mr. Ben-Gvir said he would submit a proposal to Israel’s cabinet for applying “sovereignty” in the West Bank in the coming days. He also threatened “the complete crushing” of the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the territory.
On Monday, a number of countries, including France, formally announced they would recognize Palestinian statehood at a summit in New York before the United Nations General Assembly. More than 150 countries now recognize a Palestinian state.
Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, said in a video statement to the summit that the authority aimed to form a government of the state of Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza and that it would exclude Hamas.
Speaking via video link because the United States had denied him a visa to participate in the summit in New York, Mr. Abbas addressed the people of Israel directly. “Our future and yours depends on peace,” he said. “Enough war.”
Around 10 countries either have recognized Palestine as a state over the past week or are expected to do so soon, including Britain and Canada, putting diplomatic pressure on Israel during widespread international condemnation of its war in Gaza. On Monday, Japan said it would also soon recognize a Palestinian state.
Many Palestinians view such moves as symbolic, fearing they will do little to improve lives. As more countries have moved to recognize Palestine, Israel has repeatedly threatened to annex most of the West Bank and expanded restrictions there during a sharp rise in settler violence.
In Gaza, there is little hope of a diplomatic end to nearly two years of war, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and left the territory in ruins. The war began after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted.
Last week, a U.N. commission investigating the war said Israel was committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has denied the accusation.
Israeli leaders have consistently said they do not support the creation of a Palestinian state and are prepared to take action to stop it. On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his stance, saying in a statement, “A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.”
Liam Stack is a Times reporter who covers the culture and politics of the New York City region.
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