France has faced criticism from both domestic and international quarters after President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state at a UN meeting in September. The move makes France the most significant European nation to take such a step, drawing sharp reactions from Israel, the U.S., and Hamas. Israel condemned the decision as a “reward for terror,” while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it “reckless” and accused it of aiding Hamas propaganda. In contrast, Hamas praised the move as a step toward justice for Palestinians.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot defended Macron’s decision, arguing that recognizing Palestine aligns with peace efforts and counters Hamas’s rejection of a two-state solution. “Hamas has always ruled out a two-state solution. By recognizing Palestine, France goes against that terrorist organization,” Barrot stated. However, critics, including U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, mocked the announcement, sarcastically suggesting France might offer its own territory for the new state.
Domestically, reactions were sharply divided. Far-right leader Jordan Bardella called the move “rushed” and accused it of legitimizing Hamas, while far-left politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon hailed it as a “moral victory.” Meanwhile, members of Macron’s own government remained silent or critical, with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau avoiding comment and conservative politician Xavier Bellamy dismissing the decision as “pointless” and dangerous. Bellamy argued that Macron had abandoned his own conditions for recognition, such as Hamas’s disarmament and the release of Israeli hostages.
The French decision could influence other European nations. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested that a ceasefire could pave the way for Palestinian statehood recognition, signaling potential shifts in Western policy. As debates intensify, France’s stance highlights the deepening divide over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges of balancing diplomacy with security concerns.