Key Points
- Historic Shift: French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will formally recognize the state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, making it the first G7 nation to do so.
- Furious Israeli Reaction: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently condemned the decision, calling it a “reward for terror” that risks creating “another Iranian proxy” and threatens Israel’s existence.
- Palestinian Welcome: The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have both praised the move, viewing it as a victory for international law and the right to self-determination.
- US Opposition: The United States “strongly rejected” France’s plan, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling the decision “reckless” and a “slap in the face to the victims of October 7th”.
Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will officially recognize an independent Palestinian state in September, a landmark decision that makes it the first major Western power to take such a step and has triggered a fierce diplomatic backlash from Israel and the United States.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Macron declared, “True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine”. He stated the formal announcement would be made at the UN General Assembly and emphasized that the immediate priority is to end the war in Gaza and provide humanitarian relief.
The move places France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities, at the forefront of a growing movement among European nations to support Palestinian statehood amid the devastating conflict in Gaza.
Israel and US Denounce French Decision
The reaction from Israel was swift and severe. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a strong condemnation, stating the move “rewards terror” following the October 7th attacks. “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it,” Netanyahu said, warning it risked creating “another Iranian proxy”. Other Israeli officials echoed this sentiment, with some calling it a “surrender to terrorism”.
The United States, Israel’s staunchest ally, also voiced its strong opposition. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the French plan a “reckless decision” that “only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace”.
Palestinians and Supporters Welcome the Move
In stark contrast, Palestinian leaders welcomed the announcement. Hussein al-Sheikh, a top deputy to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, said the decision “reflects France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights”. The militant group Hamas also hailed the pledge as a “positive step in the right direction”.
The move was praised by other nations that have already recognized Palestine, including Spain, whose Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated, “Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. The two-state solution is the only solution”. The decision is seen by supporters as a way to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel to engage in meaningful negotiations for a two-state solution, a prospect many believe the current Israeli government opposes.
With this announcement, France joins over 140 UN member countries in recognizing Palestinian statehood, a decision that is likely to encourage other Western nations to reconsider their positions and further isolate Israel on the world stage.
