Netanyahu Warns Palestinian State Would Threaten Israel’s Existence
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday warned that establishing a Palestinian state would endanger Israel’s existence, vowing to resist international efforts to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Speaking in Jerusalem on September 21, 2025, Netanyahu said Israel would “fight false propaganda” surrounding Palestinian moves at the United Nations, describing them as an “absurd reward for terrorism.”
He added that his government would respond “within days” to new initiatives seeking to advance Palestinian statehood recognition.
The statement comes as several countries, including the United Kingdom and Portugal, have announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state ahead of upcoming UN debates.
Netanyahu has repeatedly argued that unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood undermines Israel’s security and rewards violence rather than fostering peace.
Israel’s stance also coincides with ongoing tensions over settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. Critics argue that Israel’s policies are eroding the prospects for a viable Palestinian state, while Netanyahu insists they are necessary for national security.
The international community remains divided over the issue. Some governments view recognition of a Palestinian state as essential to achieving lasting peace, while Israel maintains that any statehood must emerge from direct negotiations rather than unilateral action.
