France to recognise Palestinian state in September
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
A platform for Israel’s destruction: Netanyahu assessed Macron’s decision to recognize Palestine as a state
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will recognize Palestine as an independent state in September this year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the decision “encourages terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, as happened with Gaza”
Details
The Israeli Prime Minister, in particular, claims that Macron’s decision “encourages terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, as happened with Gaza.”
A Palestinian state under these conditions would be a launching pad for the destruction of Israel, not for peaceful coexistence with it – reads Netanyahu’s statement.
“Let’s be frank: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel, they seek a state instead of Israel,” the politician summarized.
Recall
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will recognize Palestine as an independent state in September this year at the UN General Assembly. He emphasized the need to end the war in the Gaza Strip, release hostages, and rebuild Gaza.
Macron calls on Starmer to recognize Palestine during state visit to London
Live updates: Macron says France will recognize a Palestinian state in September
Israeli Minister of Heritage Amihai Eliyahu claimed in a radio interview that there “is no hunger in Gaza” He said the government is “racing to have Gaza wiped out,” in remarks that were strongly condemned by other Israeli officials. Aid agencies have repeatedly sounded the alarm at the hunger crisis in Gaza, saying aid is at the border unable to enter. On Tuesday, Gaza’s health ministry said 900,000 children are going hungry.
Eliyahu told Kol Ba’Rama radio, “Friends, there is no hunger in Gaza. But yes, we are killing them, and we will kill the monsters, and we will kill anyone who threatens us.”
He went on to say:
“Every time they show you images of hungry children – look next to them, there’s some fat man eating properly who has no problem passing the food along. It’s a campaign that’s being run. But we don’t need to deal with this – they need to. The food is in their hands. Trucks enter there every day. What are you talking about?”
When asked if Israelis should be concerned about the images coming out of Gaza of harmed children, Eliyahu said, “No. No nation feeds its enemies. The British didn’t feed the Nazis. The Americans didn’t feed the Japanese. The Russians aren’t feeding the Ukrainians now. The Americans didn’t feed the Iraqis when they occupied there.”
He added, “Should we be dealing with their hunger? This whole discourse is insane. We’ve totally lost it. We’re supposed to deal with this? It’s madness.”
The minister went on to say that there will be no enclosed settlement in Gaza, rather “all of Gaza will be Jewish.”
Aid agencies have repeatedly sounded the alarm at the hunger crisis in Gaza, saying aid is at the border unable to enter. On Tuesday, Gaza’s health ministry said 900,000 children are going hungry, and 70,000 already show signs of malnutrition, while the World Health Organization chief has said Palestinians in Gaza are suffering from man-made “mass starvation.”
France to recognise Palestinian state at UN general assembly, says Macron
France will become the first major Western country to recognise a Palestinian state. The announcement sparked anger from Israel and is likely to get a tough response from Washington. Israel has been waging a devastating war in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel in October 2023. Israel’s warnings to France have ranged from scaling back intelligence sharing to complicating Paris’ regional initiatives – even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank. French officials initially weighed up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia had planned to co-host in June. The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which regional airspace was closed, making it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend. It was rescheduled to a ministerial event on July 28-29 with a second event taking place with heads of state and government on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, adding that he hoped it would help bring peace to the region, but drawing an immediate rebuke from Israel.
Macron, who announced the decision on X, published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming France’s intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition and work to convincing other partners to follow suit.
“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine,” Macron said.
“I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September.”
France, home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities, will become the first major Western country to recognise a Palestinian state, potentially giving greater momentum to a movement so far dominated by smaller nations that are generally more critical of Israel.
The announcement sparked anger from Israel and is likely to get a tough response from Washington.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Macron’s decision saying that such a move “rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy.”
“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,” Netanyahu said in a post on X.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the move as “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism,” adding that Israel would not allow the establishment of a “Palestinian entity that would harm our security, endanger our existence.”
In a diplomatic cable in June, the United States said it opposed any steps that would unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state even saying it could go against U.S. foreign policy interests and draw consequences.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Macron had been leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state for months as part of a bid to keep the idea of a two-state solution alive despite the pressure not to do so.
French officials initially weighed up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia had planned to co-host in June to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel’s security.
The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which regional airspace was closed, making it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend.
It was rescheduled and downgraded to a ministerial event on July 28-29 with a second event taking place with heads of state and government on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The decision to make the announcement ahead of next week’s conference aimed to give the French team at the United Nations a framework to work with other countries who are also considering recognising a Palestinian state or still have misgivings in doing so.
Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Some 40 foreign ministers will be in New York next week.
Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent what some have described as “a nuclear bomb” for bilateral relations.
The idea that France, one of Israel’s closest allies and a G7 member, could recognise a Palestinian state, would certainly infuriate Netanyahu.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Israel’s warnings to France have ranged from scaling back intelligence sharing to complicating Paris’ regional initiatives – even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.
Israel has been waging a devastating war in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel in October 2023 and says recognising a Palestinian state now would be equivalent to rewarding Hamas.
Thanking France, the Palestinian Authority’s Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh said on X that Macron’s decision reflected “France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state.”
President Macron Announces France Will Recognise Palestinian State Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine. France is one of the most influential Western nations to take such a step amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The decision aligns with France’s “historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,” he said. He stressed the urgent need to end the war in Gaza, provide humanitarian assistance, and secure the region, calling for the demilitarisation of Hamas and the rebuilding of Gaza. France’s decision brings the number of countries recognizing the Palestinian state to at least 146. However, the United States, a long-time ally of Israel, has notably withheld such recognition.
Macron made the declaration via his official X handle on Wednesday, saying the decision aligns with France’s “historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
“Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,” Macron stated.
He added that the formal announcement will be made at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
“I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September,” he said.
Macron stressed the urgent need to end the war in Gaza, provide humanitarian assistance, and secure the region, calling for the demilitarisation of Hamas and the rebuilding of Gaza.
“The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population,” he wrote.
“We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. We must also ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, secure and rebuild Gaza.”
He emphasised that the future Palestinian state must be committed to peace and coexistence, with full recognition of Israel.
“And finally, we must build the State of Palestine, guarantee its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the region,” Macron added.
He underscored the desire for peace among the French population, stating: “The French people want peace in the Middle East. It is our responsibility — as French citizens, alongside Israelis, Palestinians, and our European and international partners — to prove that peace is possible.”
Macron also revealed that he has communicated directly with the President of the Palestinian Authority to express his intentions.
“In light of the commitments made to me by the President of the Palestinian Authority, I have written to him to express my determination to move forward.”
He ended his statement with a message of hope and resolve: “Trust, clarity, and resolve. We will achieve peace.”
France’s decision brings the number of countries recognizing the Palestinian state to at least 146. However, the United States, a long-time ally of Israel, has notably withheld such recognition.
In April 2024, the U.S. blocked a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council that would have enabled a General Assembly vote on granting Palestine full U.N. membership.
It is unclear if Macron’s move may further complicate relations with Washington, as the U.S. continues to resist international efforts to formally recognise Palestinian statehood amidst the prolonged and deadly conflict between Israel and Palestine.
European leaders welcome France’s decision to recognize Palestinian state
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