Israel threatens Western countries that announce recognition of Palestine: You are forcing us to take 'unilateral measures'

(Patria) - If Western states recognize Palestine, it could force Israel to take "unilateral measures", Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned today, after information emerged that Israel plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced in July that France would recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly session towards the end of September. Several countries have since said they will do the same, including Canada, Australia and Belgium. The United Kingdom announced in August that it would follow suit if a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is not agreed.

- Countries such as France and the United Kingdom, which advocate for the so-called recognition (of a Palestinian state), have made a big mistake.

One cannot separate the issue of statehood from the issue of peace because that would make achieving peace even more difficult. This will prompt Israel to also take unilateral measures - Saar said at a press conference with his Danish counterpart Lars Løkke Rasmussen in Jerusalem.

Recognition of Palestine would be largely symbolic due to Israel's opposition.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized on September 4 the intention of some Western countries to recognize Palestine, warning them of a possible Israeli response in the form of annexation of territory in the West Bank. He does not condemn Jewish settlement in the West Bank.

In August, Israel approved a large plan to build 3,400 housing units in the West Bank, which, according to the international community, would call into question the viability of a Palestinian state.

Israeli far-right Minister Bezalel Smotrich told European leaders earlier that if they recognize Palestine in September, Israel will annex the entire West Bank.