The Israeli government condemns France’s recognition of the Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared the country’s position on his official X controller.
“We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision to acknowledge the Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv after the October 7 massacre. This move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza becomes Gaza.
“The Palestinian state under these conditions will be the launch pad to annihilate Israel – do not live in peace beside it. Let us be clear: the Palestinians will not seek a country with Israel; they seek a country rather than Israel.”
Saharareporter earlier reported that in a major diplomatic turnaround, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would formally recognize the situation in Palestine, making it one of the most influential Western countries in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Macron announced the statement on Wednesday through his official X handle, saying the decision is consistent with France’s “historic commitment to justice and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
“In line with his historic commitment to just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I decided that France recognizes the situation in Palestine,” Macron said.
He added that the formal announcement will be made at the UN General Assembly in September.
“I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly in September this year,” he said.
Macron stressed the urgent need to end the war in Gaza, provide humanitarian assistance and ensure the region, calling for the demilitarization of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza.
“Today’s urgent priority is to end the war in Gaza and to enable civilian relief,” he wrote.
“We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a large amount of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We must also ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, ensure and rebuild Gaza.”
He stressed that future Palestinian states must fully recognize peace and coexistence in Israel.
France’s decision made it clear that the number of states in the Palestinian state was at least 146. However, the United States, a long-time ally of Israel, has curbed this recognition.
In April 2024, the United States blocked a draft resolution from the UN Security Council that would allow the General Assembly to vote to grant Palestine a United Nations membership.
It is unclear whether Macron’s move will further complicate relations with Washington, as the United States continues to resist international efforts to formally recognize the Palestinian state’s efforts in amid a long and deadly conflict between Israel and Palestine.
