France Considers Recognizing Palestinian State Amid Global Attention
In a significant diplomatic move, French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested that France might acknowledge a Palestinian state as early as June. This announcement came during an interview with France Channel 5, where Macron emphasized the potential for such recognition to encourage Palestinians to acknowledge the legitimacy of Israel.
Macron stated, “We must move toward recognition [of a Palestinian state], and so, in the coming months, we will.” He elaborated on his vision, saying, “I will do it because I believe that at some point it will be right and because I also want to participate in a collective dynamic, which must also allow all those who defend Palestine to recognize Israel in turn, which many of them do not do.”
Following a recent two-day visit to Egypt, Macron’s plans have gained further clarity. During his stay, he concentrated on the importance of resuming humanitarian aid to Gaza and reigniting ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.
France has been proactive in supporting Palestinians during the Gaza War. Macron highlighted France’s aid efforts, including delivering 1,200 tonnes of humanitarian cargo, deploying a military hospital ship, and organizing a humanitarian conference in Paris. “Yesterday, I was in El-Arish, near Gaza, with humanitarian workers… The humanitarian situation in Gaza is untenable. The resumption of aid, the release of hostages, a ceasefire, and a path to peace are absolutely essential,” Macron shared on X.
During his Egyptian visit, Macron engaged with Jordanian King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, expressing backing for an Egyptian initiative for Gaza that was adopted by the Arab League on March 4. However, Macron dismissed a separate proposal by former U.S. President Trump for the Gaza Strip, arguing that Gaza is “not a real estate project.”
The French President plans to co-chair a United Nations conference on the Palestinian state issue in June alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Macron mentioned, “Our objective is somewhere in June, with Saudi Arabia, to chair this conference where we could finalize the movement towards reciprocal recognition by several countries.”
As it stands, France has yet to officially recognize a Palestinian state, despite approximately 150 countries, including several European nations, having already done so. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has voiced opposition, warning that such recognition without resolving the Gaza conflict could be perceived as “a prize for terror.” He stated, “A ‘unilateral recognition’ of a fictional Palestinian state, by any country, in the reality that we all know, will be a prize for terror and a boost for Hamas.” Sa’ar further cautioned that these actions would likely hinder rather than promote peace, security, and stability in the region.
This article was originally published by All Israel News.
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