STATEMENT: Gottheimer Statement on Western Leaders Formally Recognizing Palestinian State

NORTH JERSEY - Today, September 22, 2025, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement after the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, and others formally recognized a Palestinian state:

"I have long supported a two-state solution. Any formal recognition of a Palestinian state requires direct negotiations involving Israelis and Palestinians, not unilateral declarations by Western leaders. Unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian state without engaging in meaningful talks does nothing to change the situation on the ground or to bring the region closer to a viable, lasting peace.

Worse, these empty announcements only reward Hamas terrorism while doing nothing for Palestinian families. In fact, Hamas is openly celebrating these recognitions as 'the fruits' of October 7 - when terrorists brutally kidnapped, raped, and murdered more than 1,200 people, including dozens of Americans. With these performative actions, Western leaders are feeding into Hamas's narrative that their violence has successfully brought about change.

A viable Palestinian state requires forward-looking leaders, stable institutions, and a commitment to peace. Hamas cannot remain in power in any capacity and, right now, the Palestinian Authority falls short on all three.

Our focus should be on creating the conditions that make peace possible, including the defeat of Hamas and reform of the Palestinian Authority, not on empty words or performative actions that only empower terrorists."

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