Israel has warned it may proceed with annexing parts of the occupied West Bank if European powers such as the United Kingdom and France move forward with recognizing an independent Palestinian state, according to a report by Middle East Eye citing Israeli diplomatic sources.

The warning reportedly comes as several European governments, including Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia, prepare to officially recognize Palestine as a sovereign state—part of a broader push to revive diplomatic efforts amid ongoing war in Gaza and rising tensions across the region.

According to the report, Israeli officials conveyed to their counterparts in London and Paris that unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood could prompt Israel to respond by formally annexing areas of the West Bank, a move that would significantly escalate regional tensions and violate international consensus.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has not publicly confirmed the warning, but it has consistently opposed any unilateral recognition of Palestine, arguing that statehood should only be achieved through direct negotiations. The UK and France have not yet formally responded, though both governments have previously signaled openness to recognition under the right conditions.