Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in public policy, condemns the announcements by the governments of the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Australia ​to recognize a so-called Palestinian state. ​These are not steps toward peace, but rewards for terrorism, coddling pro-terror activists with moves that the majority of their respective populations do not support.

These recognitions evidence a shameful double standard targeting the world’s only Jewish state. “Palestine” lacks a permanent population, defined territory, and effective government, making these declarations a farce at best. But further, every entity identified with the “Palestinian” cause is either directly tied to the Palestinian Authority’s grotesque “pay-to-slay” policy, or to Hamas, an internationally-designated terrorist organization guilty of unspeakable barbarism. ​No one would endorse a pseudo-state controlled by terrorists, save those who themselves would happily conscience Israel’s destruction.

By recognizing a Palestinian state in this context, on the eve of the holiest period on the Jewish calendar, these governments have chosen to ​celebrate murder over morality and to undermine any hope for real peace. Only other antisemites would fail to recognize the bigotry of these declarations and their timing.

The consequences of these actions are equally obvious. Hamas has withdrawn from negotiations with each such declaration, prolonging the harm to both the hostages and Gazan civilians that these governments vehemently claim to decry. They also hasten the flight of Jews from those countries, directly weakening them while strengthening the modern state of Israel. One could hardly imagine behavior less conducive to the purported desires of the respective governments, or more revealing of their actual aims.

The Jewish people will not be intimidated or erased, and we call on responsible leaders to reject appeasement and terrorism, and to stand firmly with Israel in the fight against barbarism.