Rubio: No Palestinian State Without Israeli Approval—Blasts Western Recognition as “Irrelevant”
US SecState Rubio slams Palestine recognition moves as 'irrelevant.' Says no state exists without Israel's approval, warns rewards militants & harms ceasefire talks. Calls focus on hostage release, not 'domestic-political gestures.'
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday dismissed recent moves by Western countries to recognize the state of Palestine, describing them as “irrelevant” and “counterproductive,” asserting that no Palestinian state can exist without Israel’s approval.
Speaking to Fox Radio, Rubio sharply criticized governments in Europe and North America that have pledged to recognize Palestine, saying, “None of these countries have the ability to create a Palestinian state.”
“There can be no Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to it,” Rubio said, questioning the feasibility of the recognitions. “They can’t even tell you where this Palestinian state is. They can’t tell you who will govern it. And I think number three, it’s counterproductive.”
He further accused the countries behind the move of rallying behind Hamas, stating, “At the end of the day, the Hamas side is the Palestinian statehood side. So you are creating this reward.”
While proponents of recognition argue it is a prerequisite for lasting peace in the region, Rubio maintained the opposite, warning that the steps taken are damaging ongoing ceasefire negotiations. “They’re actually hurting the cause, they’re not helping,” he said. “Their statement isn’t going to change anything other than it encourages and rewards Hamas, who now have every reason in the world not to agree to a ceasefire and not to release these hostages.”
Rubio emphasized that Hamas continues to hold 20 hostages and the bodies of more than 50 individuals, arguing that these acts of violence should make international recognition of Palestinian statehood untenable. He called on world governments to focus instead on applying unified pressure on Hamas for the immediate release of the hostages.
The US Secretary of State also implied that some of the recognition announcements were driven more by domestic political calculations than genuine geopolitical considerations. “In many cases, recent recognition decisions are really about domestic politics, with some countries facing internal pressure to take a side regardless of the consequences,” Rubio said.
Recognition Announcements Mount Ahead of UN Assembly
Western governments that have pledged to recognize Palestine include France, Canada, the UK, and Malta. French President Emmanuel Macron announced in late June his intention to recognize Palestine, with a formal declaration planned at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Malta’s Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Christopher Cutajar have likewise affirmed their governments’ intent to recognize Palestine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also declared that the United Kingdom would officially recognize the Palestinian state during the upcoming UN General Assembly if Israel does not meet specific conditions.
These announcements mark a growing international trend toward Palestinian recognition, a development Rubio warned could destabilize ceasefire efforts and embolden militant factions.
