Israel pushes back against Palestinian statehood drive

'If unilateral actions are taken against us, it invites unilateral actions on our part'

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Israel is warning of unilateral action in response to growing international momentum behind recognising a Palestinian state, casting a shadow over efforts at the United Nations General Assembly to revive a two-state solution.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, long opposed to Palestinian statehood, has threatened to annex parts of the occupied West Bank if foreign governments move forward with recognition. “If unilateral actions are taken against us, it simply invites unilateral actions on our part,” he said after meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week.

'Will embolden Hamas'