France to recognize Palestinian state, drawing Israeli, US reproach

Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, said that Washington “strongly rejects” Macron’s plan.

By JNS

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Thursday that “consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,” Paris intends to recognize a Palestinian state.

“I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September,” Macron stated. “The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “strongly” condemned Macron’s decision “to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacre.”

“Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became,” Netanyahu stated.

“A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel—not to live in peace beside it. Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel. They seek a state instead of Israel.”

Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, stated that “neither international conferences disconnected from reality nor unilateral statements at the United Nations will lead to peace.”

“Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state after the massacre of Oct. 7 and precisely at a time when Hamas is still holding hostages is a disgraceful reward for terrorism,” Danon said.

“Anyone who ignores the reality on the ground—that Israel has no partner for peace—harms not only Israel but the stability of the entire region.”

Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, said that Washington “strongly rejects” Macron’s plan.

“This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace,” Rubio stated. “It is a slap in the face to the victims of Oct. 7.”

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) stated that Macron’s decision is “a shameful endorsement of terrorists” and that “the best way for this conflict to end is to back Israel in its righteous mission of rescuing the hostages and defeating Hamas.”

AIPAC stated that Macron “is acting as Hamas’s handmaiden” and is “rewarding Hamas’s barbaric attack on the Jewish state on Oct. 7.”

“This unilateral recognition makes peace and reconciliation even more elusive,” it said. “We urge the administration and Congress to express their opposition to the French government concerning this irresponsible action.”