The Absurdity of Recognizing a Palestinian State
In recent months, a number of Western governments have rushed to recognize a Palestinian state. The move is heralded by its supporters as a moral necessity, a step toward peace, and a diplomatic breakthrough. But in truth, it is absurd on its face: secular, liberal, post-religious societies are recognizing what is perhaps the most religiously fanatical and extreme entity on earth. They elevate an Islamist movement that glorifies martyrdom, denies Israel’s right to exist, and suppresses basic freedoms — while denying the reality of G-d Himself, who promised this land to the eternal Jewish people. How absurd can one get?
The irony runs deeper still. The more Western societies have drifted into radical liberalism and abandoned faith, the more they have hollowed themselves out. Into that vacuum, Islamic immigrants have stepped, reshaping both domestic and foreign policy agendas. And now, these very societies — which have lost their grounding in faith, family, and morals — presume to lecture Israel to carve out room for a next-door Islamist state. This is not moral clarity; it is moral collapse.
Israel must draw a lesson from this hypocrisy. Since Oslo, Israel has too often surrendered its destiny to the mood of whichever U.S. administration was in power. Under George W. Bush, Israel agreed to the “Roadmap.” Under Barack Obama, Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered the infamous Bar Ilan speech, shocking the nation by endorsing a Palestinian state. During Donald Trump’s first term, Israel stood silently on the sidelines, waiting to see what the “Deal of the Century” would dictate. And now, even as the trauma of October 7 remains raw, nations of the world are rushing to impose a new and dangerous fantasy on Israel.
Israel undoubtedly recognizes by now that Oslo — signed thirty years ago — was a grave mistake. It empowered Israel’s enemies, legitimized a fantasy, and left Israel perpetually on the defensive. A Dutch expression teaches that even a donkey does not hit its head twice against the same rock. Israel cannot afford to make that mistake again. The option of doing nothing simply does not exist, because vacuums never remain empty for long: when Israel steps back, others rush in to dictate an absurd reality to it.
Worse, the accusations against Israel have escalated in lockstep: from “apartheid,” to “ethnic cleansing,” and now, outrageously, to “genocide.” What will come next, and how will Israel stop it?
Recognition of a Palestinian state is not only divorced from reality — it is also a reward for terrorism. These countries are recognizing a so-called state that refuses to even recognize Israel’s right to exist. What kind of peace can possibly grow out of that foundation? By any reasonable standard, this recognition should be immediately and vocally admonished by Israel. At the same time, if the world can “reward” terrorism, Israel has the moral right — indeed, the obligation — to take down Hamas leaders wherever they may be.
Some argue that a Palestinian state is necessary for Israel’s survival. Reality has proven the opposite time after time. Gaza was vacated in the name of peace, and the result was rockets and massacre. Lebanon was abandoned, and Hezbollah entrenched itself on Israel’s borders. To suggest that another Palestinian state would save Israel is to ignore every precedent.
Supporters of recognition claim that this is what their people want. But the data show otherwise. A CRIF/IFOP survey in June 2025 found that 78% of the French public opposed immediate, unconditional recognition of Palestine. Another survey in September revealed that 71% rejected recognition before the release of hostages and the dismantling of Hamas. Western governments are acting against the will of their own people — pursuing reckless foreign policy at odds with democratic sentiment.
Some governments try to cover their hypocrisy by simultaneously sanctioning Hamas, freezing assets and restricting travel for its leaders. But this is a hollow gesture, a patronizing way of stating the obvious: Hamas is a terrorist organization. To sanction Hamas while rewarding the statehood project it embodies is cynical and self-contradictory.
Yet, there may be a silver lining. The absurdity of these recognitions grants Israel an opportunity to seize the initiative. If naïve governments insist on rewarding fantasy, Israel must counter by strengthening reality: applying sovereignty where possible, establishing firm security control, and making clear that Jewish presence in the land is permanent and non-negotiable.
An independent country does not wait passively for outsiders to dictate its fate. Israel has been reactive since Oslo, missing opportunity after opportunity to assert sovereignty. This passivity allowed October 7 to happen. If Israel remains reactive, it risks being cornered further: even President Trump has hinted that after the hostages are released, “all options” — including recognition — are on the table. That should serve as a wake-up call.
The choice before Israel is stark. Either it fills the vacuum of its own destiny with clarity, sovereignty, and strength — or others, hostile and hypocritical, will continue to fill it with illusions. Recognition of a Palestinian state may be a fantasy, but fantasies can be imposed if Israel does not act decisively.