Hostages forum condemns international recognition of Palestine before hostages are freed

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issues a statement condemning the UK, Canada and Australia for the “unconditional recognition of a Palestinian state while turning a blind eye to the fact that 48 hostages remain in Hamas captivity.”

“As families who deeply want peace in the region, we believe that any discussion about recognizing a Palestinian state must be contingent upon the immediate release of all hostages,” the forum says, calling it a “moral and humanitarian imperative.”

The forum urges other nations to “act responsibly and ensure that any ‘day after’ discussions occur only after our loved ones are brought home.”

“We seek an end to this war, the safe return of all hostages, and a sustainable peace that benefits both peoples,” it says, adding that any action otherwise “effectively enables terrorism while legitimizing the October 7th massacre.”

“Offering such significant political rewards without securing the return of all 48 of our loved ones represents a catastrophic failure of political, moral, and diplomatic leadership that will severely damage efforts to bring them all home,” the forum adds.