Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Aug. 24 that Europeans must pick a side — either stand with Israel or with jihadists, JNS reported.

“Europe must choose: Israel or Hamas. Every action against Israel directly serves the jihadist axis in the Middle East,” Sa’ar posted to X.

Israel’s foreign minister noted Hamas’s praise of Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp and of French President Emmanuel Macron for his efforts to build a coalition of states to recognize a Palestinian state.

Hamas described as “brave and ethical” the resignations of Veldkamp and the remaining Cabinet members of his New Social Contract Party on Aug. 22, after Veldkamp failed to push through sanctions against Israel at a Cabinet meeting.

“The resignations of these Dutch ministers reflect a principled stance that embodies humanitarian values and highlights commitment to the foundations of international law,” Hamas said in an Aug. 23 statement, according to The Palestinian Information Center.

Of Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state, Hamas said it was a “positive step” and a “move in the right direction towards achieving justice for the oppressed Palestinian people.”

Other European countries have already recognized a Palestinian state, including Ireland, Norway and Spain in May.

Hamas welcomed that decision as well.

“We consider this an important step towards affirming our right to our land,” the group said in a statement, calling on “countries around the world to recognize our legitimate national rights.”

Other countries have also announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state, including the United Kingdom, Malta, Canada and Australia.