Jerusalem: Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has strongly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France may officially recognize a Palestinian state in the coming months. Saar warned that such a move would effectively reward terrorism and empower Hamas, rather than contribute to regional peace and security.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter) late Wednesday, Saar stated that any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state under current conditions would “be a prize for terror and a boost for Hamas,” adding that these actions would “push peace, security, and stability further away.”
Macron revealed on French television that France intends to move toward recognizing a Palestinian state, potentially finalizing the decision during a UN conference in New York this June. He said the recognition should be part of a broader international effort to achieve mutual recognition between Israel and Palestine and promote long-term regional stability.
France would become the first permanent member of the UN Security Council to take this step, marking a significant policy shift for the country, which has long supported a two-state solution. Macron emphasized that such recognition would also strengthen France's stance against those denying Israel’s right to exist, singling out Iran in particular.
This development follows similar recognitions by Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Slovenia in 2024, many of which were driven by global outcry over Israel's military actions in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attacks. With nearly 150 countries having already recognized Palestinian statehood, France’s recognition would carry considerable diplomatic weight.
