Danish PM calls Netanyahu a ‘problem,’ suggest sanctions, yet won’t recognize Palestinian State

Frederiksen said “Netanyahu is now a problem in himself,” adding that the Israeli government is going “too far.”

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Saturday she believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has become “a problem,” recommended the EU enact Russia-style sanctions against the Jewish state, but stopped short of recognizing a Palestinian state as long as Hamas controls Gaza.

Frederiksen, a center-right leader, told the Jyllands-Posten daily that “Netanyahu is now a problem in himself,” adding that the Israeli government is going “too far.”

She added that she intends to push for stronger EU pressure on Israel, including possible sanctions modeled on those imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

“We are not ruling anything out in advance,” she said, adding that such measures could target settlers, Israeli ministers, or broader trade and research ties. She acknowledged, however, that Denmark has yet to secure consensus within the EU.

The Danish leader described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “absolutely appalling and catastrophic” and criticized Israel’s recent announcement of new housing units in the sensitive E1 corridor of Judea and Samaria.

However, Frederiksen said she would not join other European nations like France and the UK in recognizing a Palestinian state, at least not with Hamas in control of Gaza.

She explained that recognition “here and now will not help the thousands of children currently fighting for their survival” and would effectively “reward” Hamas, the group that triggered the current war with its Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251.

She insisted that recognition should only come when it genuinely advances a two-state solution and ensures a democratic Palestinian state “without the influence of Hamas,” alongside mutual recognition of Israel.

Last month, France announced it will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the September 2025 U.N. General Assembly, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged Britain will do the same unless Israel agrees to a cease-fire and alleviates Gaza’s humanitarian crisis—moves that highlight mounting European pressure on Israel over the war.