U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Criticizes Western Nations Over Palestinian Statehood Efforts

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has strongly criticized the efforts of the United Kingdom, France, and other Western nations in their push for Palestinian statehood, calling their actions irrelevant and damaging. In a conversation with Fox Radio, Rubio stated, “A Palestinian state can only be established with Israel’s approval; Western countries do not have the power to create a Palestinian state.”
Rubio argued that European and North American governments, which have been announcing their recognition of Palestine, are turning a blind eye to reality. He further emphasized that these countries cannot even provide a clear map for a Palestinian state. “They can’t tell us where the Palestinian state will be located, nor can they identify who will govern it,” he remarked, labeling the process as an encouragement for Hamas.
He accused these Western nations of effectively rewarding Hamas through their recent efforts to recognize Palestine. “Anyone advocating for the creation of a Palestinian state today is rewarding Hamas, which still holds over twenty hostages and more than fifty dead bodies in its possession,” Rubio said.
According to Rubio, these recognitions not only obstruct peace negotiations but are also undermining ceasefire talks. He pointed out that such actions give Hamas more leverage to resist ceasefire agreements and refuse to release hostages.
Rubio further argued that the decision by countries like France, the UK, and Canada to recognize Palestine is driven more by internal political pressure than by any geographic or strategic rationale. “These decisions are not being made for the sake of real peace but are intended to ease domestic political pressures,” he said.
In recent weeks, leaders from France, the UK, Canada, and Malta have indicated their intention to formally recognize Palestine as a state, with an official announcement expected during the United Nations General Assembly in September.