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Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on Sept. 26, 2025. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
In his Sept. 26 address to the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized countries recognizing a Palestinian state, calling it a “mark of shame.”
This week, Canada, Australia, the UK, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Andorra, Malta, Monaco, and Portugal recognized a Palestinian state.
“You know what message the leaders who recognize a Palestinian state this week said to the Palestinians? It’s a very clear message. Murdering Jews pays off,” said Netanyahu.
“Well, I have a message for these leaders: When the most savage terrorists on Earth are effusively praising your decision, you didn’t do something right. You did something wrong, horribly wrong.
“Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere. It will be a mark of shame on all of you.”
Canada, Australia, the UK, and Portugal announced their recognition ahead of the U.N. General Assembly.
“Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognizes the state of Palestine,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a Sept. 21 statement.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement on Sept.21: “Since 1947, it has been the policy of every Canadian government to support a two-state solution for lasting peace in the Middle East. This envisioned the creation of a sovereign, democratic, and viable State of Palestine building its future in peace and security alongside the state of Israel. ... The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. ... It is in this context that Canada recognizes the state of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the state of Palestine and the state of Israel.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a Sept. 21 statement, “Today’s act of recognition reflects Australia’s longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, which has always been the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and the Palestinian peoples.”
Portuguese Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel said, “Portugal advocates the two-state solution as the only path to a just and lasting peace ... a ceasefire is urgent.”
Netanyahu dismissed the claims that the recognition is an endorsement of a two-state solution.
“The Palestinians don’t believe in the solution,” he said.
“They never have. They don’t want a state next to Israel; they want a Palestinian state instead of Israel.
“And that is why every time they were offered a Palestinian state but were required to end the conflict with Israel and recognize a Jewish state, every time over the decades, they turned it down.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said on Sept. 25 that Israel should not annex the West Bank.
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. No, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.
Jackson Richman is a Washington correspondent for The Epoch Times. In addition to Washington politics, he covers the intersection of politics and sports/sports and culture. He previously was a writer at Mediaite and Washington correspondent at Jewish News Syndicate. His writing has also appeared in The Washington Examiner. He is an alum of George Washington University.
