From the Liveblog of
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Gantz accuses ‘Western Leaders’ of emboldening Hamas by recognizing Palestinian statehood
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Recognizing a Palestinian state after October 7 “ultimately only emboldens Hamas, extends the war, distances the prospects of a hostage deal and sends a clear message of support to Iran and its proxies,” declares Blue and White-National Unity chairman Benny Gantz.
“If advancing peace & stability in the Middle East is what you seek, dear Western Leaders – and not buckling to domestic political pressure, then maximum pressure must be applied to Hamas to relinquish power and return the hostages before anything else,” the centrist politician posts on X in English following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement of the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state and similar announcements from Canada and Australia.
The leaders of the three countries all stressed that there was no room for Hamas in a future Palestinian state.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana also slams Starmer, posting a photo of him with the tagline: “A Modern-day appeaser who chose dishonour,” while Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar calls on Israel to apply sovereignty in the West Bank in response to the UK’s “meaningless statement that reeks of anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel.”
The Times of Israel Community.