French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state has triggered strong criticism from Israel and its ally, the United States. Macron announced in July that France would formalise the move during the UN General Assembly in September. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the decision, accusing Macron of “fueling the antisemitism fire.” Macron rejected the charge as “abject” and, in a letter to Netanyahu last week, defended his position. “Our determination to see the Palestinian people have their own state is rooted in our conviction that lasting peace is essential to the security of the state of Israel,” Macron wrote. He added that France’s efforts “stem from our outrage at the appalling humanitarian disaster in Gaza, for which there can be no justification.” In the same letter, Macron warned, “The occupation of Gaza, the forced displacement of Palestinians, their reduction to starvation … will never bring victory to Israel. On the contrary, they will reinforce the isolation of your country, fuel those who find pretext for antisemitism, and endanger Jewish communities around the world.”
US backs Israel’s position
US ambassador to France Charles Kushner argued that “gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence and endanger Jewish life in France.” France’s foreign ministry called the remarks “unacceptable” and summoned Kushner for a meeting on Monday. In response, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the US stood by Kushner’s comments, adding that he was “doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role.” Alongside France, the U.K., Canada, Australia and Malta have pledged to formalise recognition of a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly session starting September 23. Other countries, including New Zealand, Finland and Portugal, are considering similar moves. More than 140 nations already recognise a Palestinian state, though the step is widely seen as symbolic. The Palestinian Authority seeks an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza — territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war. Meanwhile, the war in Gaza continues to devastate the enclave. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 63,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Most of Gaza’s residents are now displaced, entire neighbourhoods lie in ruins, and famine has been declared in Gaza City. On Friday, Israel declared the territory’s largest city a combat zone.
