Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has sparked widespread outrage following his declaration that the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital would be “tantamount to national suicide.”
Speaking to American media in Jerusalem, Sa’ar dismissed the two-state solution as a “threat to Israel’s security and sovereignty,” asserting that “his government would never permit its realization.”
He went further, suggesting that nations supporting Palestinian statehood should consider creating such a state within their own borders, citing France and Canada as examples of countries with “ample space.”
“A Palestinian state in the heart of Israel would serve only those who seek our destruction,” Sa’ar claimed, reinforcing his government’s hardline stance against the legitimate, internationally guaranteed right of Palestinian sovereignty.
His remarks come amid renewed international momentum toward recognizing Palestinian statehood.
France, Canada, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Australia, and New Zealand have all signaled their intention to formally recognize Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in September, a move widely seen as a diplomatic effort to revive stalled peace negotiations and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Palestinian Authority condemned Sa’ar’s statements as a direct assault on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and a blatant rejection of international law. A spokesperson for President Mahmoud Abbas described “the comments as reflective of Israel’s entrenched policy of occupation and denial.”
In Gaza, Hamas labeled the remarks as further evidence of Israel’s unwillingness to pursue peace, while Palestinian civil society organizations warned that such rhetoric could deepen hostilities and obstruct humanitarian access.
Across the Arab world, reactions were swift and pointed. Jordanian diplomat Marwan Muasher criticized Sa’ar’s position as destabilizing and counterproductive to decades of regional diplomacy.
Lebanese media accused Israeli officials of weaponizing existential fear to justify permanent occupation and displacement.
In parallel to Sa’ar’s remarks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to the so-called “Greater Israel” vision, an expansionist ideology that envisions Israeli sovereignty beyond internationally recognized borders.
This prompted strong condemnation from Jordan and Qatar, both of which viewed the statements as provocative and dangerous.
The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Netanyahu’s rhetoric as a violation of international law and a direct threat to regional sovereignty.
Ambassador Sufyan Qudah denounced the remarks as “delusional and inflammatory,” warning that they reflect the deepening crisis within Israel’s leadership and its growing international isolation amid continued aggression in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Qudah urged the global community to take immediate action to halt all incitement and unilateral measures that threaten regional stability and international peace, reaffirming Jordan’s commitment to defending Palestinian rights and supporting a just resolution to the conflict.
Qatar echoed this stance, condemning Netanyahu’s statements as an extension of Israel’s occupation-driven ideology.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the remarks as emblematic of “arrogance, provocation, and blatant disregard for international law,” and called for unified international opposition to such rhetoric.
Sa’ar’s comments have also drawn criticism from several of Israel’s Western allies, many of whom view his rejection of the two-state solution as a direct challenge to international consensus.
France, which Sa’ar mocked by suggesting it establish a Palestinian state on its own territory, reaffirmed its commitment to recognizing Palestine and condemned Israel’s dismissal of peace frameworks.
Canada, also named by Sa’ar, reiterated its support for a two-state solution and described his remarks as inflammatory and counterproductive.
The United Kingdom, though not directly mentioned, has signaled its intent to recognize Palestine and criticized Israel’s refusal to engage with diplomatic efforts.
German officials, while also not responding to Sa’ar by name, have expressed concern over Israel’s abandonment of the two-state framework and suspended certain military exports in protest of its Gaza campaign.
Spain and Ireland have accelerated their recognition of Palestine and condemned Israeli officials who oppose the two-state solution, viewing such positions as obstacles to peace and violations of international law.
The backlash to Sa’ar’s statements underscores Israel’s deepening diplomatic isolation. As more governments move toward recognizing Palestinian statehood, Israeli officials continue to frame sovereignty as an existential threat, rejecting decades of international resolutions.
