The timing of the move was a surprise, but discussions have been underway for weeks in some European Union countries about possibly recognizing a Palestinian state. Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the European ambassadors would watch grisly video footage of the attack. “We will not even allow a statement about a Palestinian state,” he said. The international community has long viewed the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as the only realistic way to resolve the conflict. Israel says any Palestinian state would be at risk of being taken over by Hamas, posing a threat to its security.
