TEL AVIV, May 26, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar threatened to impose sovereignty over West Bank illegal colonies and the Jordan Valley in response to any recognition of the State of Palestine, including Britain and France, according to the Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom.

The newspaper quoted Sa'ar as saying that "any unilateral steps against Israel will be met with unilateral steps from it," referring to Tel Aviv's intention to respond by annexing Palestinian lands if international recognition of a Palestinian state is granted.

Israel Hayom said that this warning comes amid efforts led by French President Emmanuel Macron to hold an international conference in New York in mid-June, with the support of Saudi Arabia, to garner international recognition of a Palestinian state.

Diplomatic sources told the newspaper that Macron is seeking to make June 18 the date for official announcements by several countries recognizing the Palestinian state. This has angered the Israeli government, which accused the French president of "deception," claiming that he had previously informed Tel Aviv not to take this step.

149 of the 193 UN member states recognize Palestine, and the Palestinians hope to secure further recognition during the New York conference.

On July 20, 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that "the continued presence of the State of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal," emphasizing that the Palestinians have "the right to self-determination" and that "the Israeli settlements established in the occupied territories must be evacuated."

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