President Trump Believes Palestinian Recognition Rewards Hamas: White House

Last Updated:September 23, 2025, 00:19 IST

The White House criticized Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal for recognizing Palestine, echoing Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s view that it rewards Hamas

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks on US President Donald Trump’s remrks on Hamas (IMAGE: REUTERS)

The White House on Monday reiterated US President Donald Trump’s stance on Hamas and said that by recognizing Palestinian state, countries such as Britain will be rewarding Hamas for its attack on Israel.

“As for all of these Western nations that are recognising a Palestinian state, the president has been very clear – the president disagrees with this decision,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing.

“He spoke about that in the UK standing right next to his friend, Prime Minister Starmer. He feels this does not do anything to free the hostages – which is the primary goal in Gaza – does nothing to end this conflict and bring this war to a close and frankly he believes it is a reward for Hamas. He believes these decisions are more talk and not enough action from our allies,” she added.

This comes as Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognised Palestine. France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Malta have also signalled that they intend to do the same.

This wave of recognition represents a significant departure from the long-standing Western position that Palestinian statehood should emerge only as the outcome of direct negotiations with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed the UK, Canada, and Australia’s move to recognise Palestine and said that there will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River.

“There will be no Palestinian state. The response to the latest attempt to force upon us a terror state in the heart of our land will be given after my return from the United States,” Netanyahu said. Netanyahu alleged that by recognising Palestine, they are “rewarding terror with an enormous prize,” expressing his determination not to let this happen. “I have a clear message to those leaders who are recognising a Palestinian state after the horrendous October 7 massacre: You are rewarding terror with an enormous prize. And I have another message for you: It’s not going to happen. There will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River. For years I have prevented the creation of that terror state, against tremendous pressure, both domestic and from abroad,” he said.

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