On US visit, Sa’ar says Western ‘left-wing’ governments cannot force Palestinian state on Israel

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, on his first official visit to the US since taking office last year, accuses “left-wing” Western governments of trying to “force” a Palestinian state on Israel — a step he warns would amount to “suicide” for the country.

“Left-wing governments in various countries, including France, Britain, Canada, and Australia, are trying to force a Palestinian state on Israel,” Sa’ar says while briefing the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in New York, according to a readout from his office.

“Israel cannot allow this. For us, it would be an act of suicide,” he says, accusing Western capitals of “trying to build momentum” through their recently announced plans to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state in September.

The foreign minister tells the Jewish leaders that Israel is “in a better strategic position than we were two years ago,” pointing to Israel’s successes against the Iranian axis.

“But what was once a military siege is turning into an attempt at a political siege on Israel, with a clear goal: to force a Palestinian state upon us,” he warns.

Pointing to the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, invasion and massacre, Sa’ar claims that a Palestinian state in the West Bank or Gaza would place “all of our population centers under threat,” insisting that “west of the Jordan, there can be no foreign sovereignty or military presence.”

Israel’s consul in New York, Ofir Akunis, also joined the briefing, Sa’ar’s office adds.

Sa’ar is scheduled to meet in Washington tomorrow with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, as well as with AIPAC leaders. He will also host a reception for Jewish and Christian supporters of Israel.