The British government on Sunday formally recognised a State of Palestine and has publicly warned Israel not to use the move as a pretext for reprisals such as annexing parts of the occupied West Bank, the UK’s foreign secretary said ahead of a UN meeting. The decision — announced together with Canada and Australia — has provoked angry denunciations from Israel and sparked fresh fears of a widening diplomatic rift.
In an interview with the BBC, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she had made it “clear” to her Israeli counterpart that Britain would not tolerate retaliatory steps, including annexation or accelerated settlement expansion, in response to the recognition. Cooper framed the move as intended to protect the viability of a two-state solution and to advance prospects for a negotiated peace.
Israel’s leadership reacted angrily. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the recognition as “an absurd prize for terrorism” and vowed there would be “no Palestinian state” to the west of the Jordan River, signalling that the government would consider a range of responses after his return from a planned U.S. visit. Netanyahu and senior ministers argued Western recognition rewards Hamas — the Islamist group that carried out the October 7, 2023 attacks — and undermines Israeli security.
Several hard-line members of Israel’s cabinet called for immediate countermeasures, including annexation of parts or all of the West Bank, and tougher action against the Palestinian Authority. Media reports and regional wire services said ministers such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich urged the government to move swiftly in response to the western recognitions. Western diplomats and Israeli political analysts warned such steps would escalate tensions and further isolate Israel internationally.
The UK government said the recognition — published on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website — was intended to “protect the viability of a two-state solution and create a path towards lasting peace.” The statement stressed the move was not intended as a reward for violence, and that Britain remained committed to Israel’s security while also supporting Palestinian self-determination.
The coordinated action by the UK, Canada and Australia represents a significant shift among long-standing Western allies and comes amid growing international concern about the humanitarian toll of the Gaza war and the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Analysts say the symbolic weight of recognitions by historic powers may increase diplomatic pressure, but are unlikely by themselves to change dynamics on the ground absent broader international follow-through, including from the United States.
Reactions across the region were varied. Palestinian leaders welcomed the recognitions as an important step toward statehood and international legitimacy. Arab governments largely praised the move, while several European capitals were reported to be considering similar actions at the UN General Assembly later this week. At the same time, officials in Washington urged calm and signalled concern that unilateral steps could complicate U.S. efforts to mediate.
Diplomats say key questions now are whether Israel will translate rhetoric into measures on the ground — such as formal annexation or a large acceleration in settlement construction and how other major powers will respond if it does. Foreign Secretary Cooper’s warning to Israel was explicitly aimed at preventing a chain reaction that could make a two-state outcome impossible, diplomats told reporters.
What happens next will depend on rapid diplomatic exchanges in New York, Washington and Jerusalem over the coming days. International law experts and rights groups have warned that any attempt to annex occupied territory would be illegal and could trigger further sanctions or diplomatic fallout. Meanwhile, both sides face intense domestic political pressures that may shape their choices in the weeks ahead.
Key facts
•The UK formally recognised a State of Palestine on 21 September 2025, in a joint announcement with Canada and Australia.
•British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warned Israel not to retaliate by annexing parts of the West Bank or expanding settlements.
•Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected the recognitions and vowed to respond, while some ministers urged annexation.
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