Sa'ar: Here's How the Palestinians Can Finally Get A State Of Their Own

In a candid interview with the Belgian newspaper Sudinfo, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar dismissed Belgium's recent decision to recognize a Palestinian state as "a very strange decision, which was taken under pressure." Sa'ar emphasized that the formation of such a state ultimately depends on decisions made in Jerusalem, not Brussels, and is contingent on significant changes in Palestinian governance and behavior.

Yesterday (Tuesday), Belgium announced that it would recognize Palestine as a state during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session, a move that also includes imposing sanctions on the Israeli government. This declaration has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli officials, with Sa'ar arguing that it overlooks the realities on the ground.

"But in any case, I’ll tell you frankly: it’s not happening now!" Sa'ar stated in the interview. "If Hamas continues to rule Gaza, it will never happen. So the question of whether a Palestinian state will exist or not is not linked to the decision of the government in Brussels, but rather to the decisions of the government in Jerusalem."

Addressing the post-Hamas future of Gaza, Sa'ar clarified Israel's stance: "Israel has no intention of controlling the Palestinian population in Gaza." He advocated for granting Palestinians autonomy, but only under strict conditions. "They must be given autonomy, but it must be linked to the end of two things: first, the end of terrorism, of course; second, the end of incitement," he explained.

While Sa'ar did not outright reject the idea of a Palestinian state, he conditioned its feasibility on a fundamental shift in Palestinian attitudes. "This process can only be realistic when they change their attitude," he said. This aligns with Sa'ar's previous statements, where he has described accepting a Palestinian state as potentially "suicidal" for Israel amid ongoing security threats.

Sa'ar also commented on US President Donald Trump's proposed plan for Gaza, which involves the United States assuming control of the territory to rebuild it into a prosperous enclave, often described as the "Riviera of the Middle East." The plan includes voluntary relocation of Gaza's population, with incentives such as $5,000 payments per person to temporarily or permanently leave while reconstruction occurs under US trusteeship. Sa'ar viewed this initiative positively but with caveats: "It can be a good thing," he noted, provided that "those who want to leave Gaza can do so freely, of their own choice" and that "there are countries willing to welcome them."

Trump's Gaza redevelopment proposal, first floated earlier in 2025, envisions transforming the war-torn strip into a tech hub or luxury destination through AI-powered smart cities and international investment, while offering digital tokens or cash incentives for relocation. However, it has faced criticism for potentially displacing Palestinians and has been rejected by some Arab nations.

Sa'ar's remarks come amid heightened international pressure on Israel regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, following the ongoing war in Gaza that began in October 2023. Several countries, including France, the UK, and Canada, have threatened to recognize a Palestinian state in recent months, prompting thanks from Hamas officials and condemnation from Israel.

Israeli leaders, including Sa'ar, have consistently warned that unilateral recognitions undermine direct negotiations and could lead to retaliatory measures, such as extending Israeli sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria. As the UN General Assembly approaches, Sa'ar's interview underscores Israel's firm position that any path to Palestinian statehood must prioritize security and mutual recognition over symbolic gestures.