Rubio warns recognition of Palestine would "create big problems"

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday criticized countries that recognized Palestine, saying the move would “create big problems” as 'Israel' pushes ahead with plans to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld in Quito, Rubio said that the US has cautioned partners that recognition of a Palestinian state would “create big problems.”

“We predicted this would happen. We warned everybody it would happen. Nonetheless, some of these people decided they wanted to move forward with something illusory,” Rubio said, arguing that recognition by France and others encouraged Hamas to abandon negotiations and escalate demands.

When asked about 'Israeli' government plans to annex 82 percent of the West Bank, a step announced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich earlier this week, Rubio declined to give a firm position. “What you're seeing with the West Bank and the annexation, that's not a final thing. That's something that's being discussed among some elements of Israeli politics. I'm not going to opine on that today,” he said.

The UN and much of the international community view 'Israeli' settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law, repeatedly warning that expansion undermines prospects for a two-state solution.

Last July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation unlawful and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Britain, France, Canada, Australia, and Belgium have signaled they plan to recognize a Palestinian state during this month’s UN General Assembly session.

However, London has suggested it may reconsider if Israel commits to easing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and engaging in a long-term peace process.