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US ‘strongly rejects’ French plan to recognise Palestine, Saudis hail ‘historic decision’

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio blasted French President Emmanuel Macron decision to recognise a Palestinian state as “reckless” while Saudi Arabia described it as “historic” as world reactions to the plan poured in ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting in September.

File photo of French President Emmanuel Macron and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas taken on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 25, 2024. © Ludovic Marin, AFP (archive)

File photo of French President Emmanuel Macron and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas taken on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 25, 2024. © Ludovic Marin, AFP (archive)

France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan drew angry rebukes from Israel and the United States.

Macron, who unveiled the decision on social media, 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.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Emmanuel Macron (@emmanuelmacron)

 

"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."

Home to Europe's largest Jewish and Muslim communities, France will become the first major Western country to recognise a Palestinian state, potentially fuelling a movement so far dominated by smaller nations generally more critical of Israel.

The news sparked anger in Israel and Washington.

 

 

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the decision by one of Israel's closest allies and a G7 member, saying such a move "rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy."

In a post on X, he added, "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."

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 response, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States "strongly rejects (Macron's) plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly."

In a post on X, he said, "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th."

 

'the United States strongly rejects (Macron's) plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly', Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X.
"The United States strongly rejects Emmanuel Macron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly", Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X.  © Screenshot, FRANCE 24
 

 

France said that its plan to formally recognise a Palestinian state runs counter to the stance held by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

"Hamas has always ruled out a two-state solution. By recognising Palestine, France goes against that terrorist organisation," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote Friday on X.

'By recognising Palestine, France goes against (Hamas),' Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X.
"By recognising Palestine, France goes against (Hamas)," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X.  © Screenshot, FRANCE 24
 

 

Spain, Saudi Arabia welcome decision

Earlier, Canada also pressed Israel to seek peace, with Prime Minister Mark Carney condemning its "failure to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza" and reiterating support for a two-state solution.

Carney also accused Israel of violating international law over the blocking of Canadian-funded aid to civilians in the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

"Canada calls on all sides to negotiate an immediate ceasefire in good faith," he added.

"We reiterate our calls for Hamas to immediately release all the hostages, and for the Israeli government to respect the territorial integrity of the West Bank and Gaza."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose country already recognises Palestinian statehood, welcomed Macron's announcement.

"Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. The two-state solution is the only solution," said the Socialist leader and outspoken critic of Israel's offensive in Gaza.

 

'I welcome the fact that France joins Spain and other European countries in recognising the State of Palestine,' Spanish Prime Minister said on X.
"I welcome the fact that France joins Spain and other European countries in recognising the State of Palestine," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on X.  © Screenshot, FRANCE 24
 

 

The Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed Macron's "historic decision".

"The Kingdom reiterates its call for all countries that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to take similar positive steps and adopt serious positions that support peace and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people."

In a diplomatic cable in June, the United States said it opposed steps to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state, even saying it could go against US foreign policy interests and draw consequences.

In June, Washington's ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said he did not think an independent Palestinian state remained a US foreign policy goal.

President Donald Trump has himself expressed doubts about a two-state solution, proposing a US takeover of Gaza in February, that was condemned by rights groups, Arab states, Palestinians and the UN as a proposal of "ethnic cleansing".

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 parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security.

The conference was postponed under US pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which the closure of regional airspace made it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend.

It was rescheduled and downgraded to a ministerial event on July 28 and July 29, with a second event taking place with heads of state and government on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Creating momentum

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 that are also considering recognising a Palestinian state or 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. About 40 foreign ministers will be in New York next week.

Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent what some have called "a nuclear bomb" for bilateral ties.

Sources familiar with the matter say 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."

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters and AFP)

Source: France 24

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