Washington ( The COW News Digital) The United States has issued a stark warning to countries considering recognition of a Palestinian state, cautioning that such a move would escalate tensions in the region and provoke strong reactions from Israel.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Ecuador on Thursday, criticized France and other European countries for pushing forward with plans to formally recognize Palestinian statehood. He stressed that Washington has made it clear to all governments that such recognition is “misguided and unrealistic.”
Rubio warned that if more countries moved toward recognizing Palestine, Israel could respond by annexing parts of the West Bank, a step that would further inflame regional tensions. “Granting recognition will not solve problems—it will create bigger ones,” Rubio said. “The reaction will be swift, and the consequences will complicate efforts to reach peace.”
He further cautioned that recognizing Palestine at this juncture would undermine ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, where fighting has already reached critical levels. According to Rubio, such international moves would embolden hardliners, prolong conflict, and lead to more instability.
His comments come as Britain, France, and several other European nations announced their intention to raise the issue of Palestinian recognition during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. These governments argue that recognition is essential for advancing peace and justice for Palestinians, but Washington has firmly opposed the idea.
The pushback from the US also aligns with Israel’s position. In response to European statements, Israel’s Finance Minister demanded the annexation of significant areas of the West Bank, declaring that such steps are necessary to “bury the idea of Palestinian statehood once and for all.”
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates issued its own warning to Israel, declaring that any annexation of West Bank territory would cross a “red line” for Arab nations. The UAE stressed that unilateral moves by Israel could destabilize already fragile diplomatic relations in the Middle East.
The debate over Palestinian recognition highlights a growing rift between Washington and some of its European allies, who argue that the time has come to take concrete steps toward a two-state solution. For now, the US maintains that recognition will not lead to peace but instead risk fueling further conflict across the region.
