The Israeli Hostage and Missing Families Forum has sharply condemned the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia for formally recognizing a Palestinian state while there are still Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The move, made by these Commonwealth nations as part of a broader diplomatic shift, comes amid intense criticism from those who argue recognition should be conditional on the safe return of all captives.
The Forum, which usually supports conflict resolution and has backed efforts to negotiate hostage deals, said recognition without securing the release of the remaining hostages—currently reported to be 48—is “morally and humanely bankrupt.” They called recognition under these conditions not simply a diplomatic statement, but a reward for terror, arguing it undermines both the urgency of securing hostage safety and the moral responsibility governments have to those suffering.
Officials from the UK, Canada and Australia have defended their decision as a step toward reviving peace negotiations, stressing a two‑state solution. They claim recognition can renew diplomatic momentum and revive hopes of ending the conflict. However, the Hostage Forum and other critics say such recognition arms diplomatic legitimacy to Palestine before all hostages are free—diminishing leverage and potentially reducing political pressure on Hamas.
The Israeli government has called the recognition “one‑sided” and warned that it damages the prospects for meaningful negotiations. From the perspective of the impacted families, recognition now sends a message that the political gains of statehood might be prioritized over hostage safety and accountability.
The Forum urged responsible action: that nations pause or condition recognition until all hostages are released. They warned that ignoring this demand damages both the credibility of any recognized Palestinian state and the trust of Israelis and others watching closely. For the families, this isn’t about rejecting peace—it’s about ensuring it exists on just terms.
