The decision by Norway, Ireland, and Spain to recognize a Palestinian state is a symbolic gesture, but in the context of the war in Gaza, it delivers a huge blow to Israel and a modest boost to Hamas. Ironically, though, that this happened is entirely the Israeli government’s fault.

Israeli officials—not just Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition partners—have denounced the move as a “twisted decision” that will prompt “consequences” (without explaining what possible consequences will ensue). The Biden administration, as well as the leaders of France and Germany, has criticized the move as ill-timed.

Israel and its allies have long held that a Palestinian state, if one is formed at all, must be the result of negotiations between Israel and Palestinians, most likely the final result and reward of a peaceful settlement. As long as Israel at least paid lip service to the idea of a two-state solution, many countries patiently awaited the results of such negotiations—or, to describe the situation more accurately, they passively ignored that such negotiations weren’t happening.

Now, however, the truth can no longer be avoided, nor can the urgency for a cease-fire and at least some movement toward a grand peace. Netanyahu has publicly proclaimed, several times, that he will not accept a Palestinian state. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, though a critic of the prime minister’s war policy on some grounds, was recently captured on tape saying the same thing.

Saudi Arabia’s rulers desperately want to “normalize” relations with Israel, which they see as a potent ally in their larger rivalry with Iran, but they demand that Israel at least pretend to support the idea of resuming negotiations toward a two-state solution. This is a very low bar, but Netanyahu refuses to clear........

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