Rubio deflects from West Bank land grab, blames Palestine recognition
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The US Secretary of State warns that the recognition of Palestine by foreign governments risks escalating tensions, ignoring further West Bank land grabs.
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The separation wall next to the Arab neighborhood of Al-Eizariya, near where the Israeli government says settler housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement development project, Thursday, August 21, 2025 (AP)
The United States has cautioned that the recognition of Palestine by other countries could worsen tensions, as "Israel" advances efforts to usurp more land in the occupied West Bank.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld in Quito, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio blamed the recognition of a Palestinian state for “big problems".
“We predicted this would happen. We warned everybody it would happen. Nonetheless, some of these people decided they wanted to move forward with something illusory,” Rubio told reporters.
He claimed that recognition by France and other states encouraged Hamas to abandon negotiations and raise demands.
Rubio’s remarks followed comments from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who announced plans to usurp 82% of the occupied West Bank to prevent the creation of a Palestinian statehood.
When asked about these plans, Rubio noted that "annexation" was “not a final thing” but a matter still under discussion in Israeli politics.
Read more: 'Israel' establishes first civilian court in West Bank settlement
Israeli settlements and international law
The international community widely considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law. The UN has consistently warned that settlement expansion threatens the possibility of a "two-state solution".
In July, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark ruling declaring "Israel’s" occupation of Palestinian territories illegal. The ICJ called for the evacuation of all settlements in both the West Bank and the eastern part of occupied al-Quds.
While some countries have recently moved to formally recognize Palestinian statehood, the US has repeatedly resisted such moves, warning of destabilizing effects. For Palestinians, international recognition is seen as a vital step toward sovereignty after decades of occupation and displacement.
Read more: ICJ: 'Israel' is an occupation power violating international law
