The United States and Israel have sharply condemned French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France will recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, Reuters reports.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at the move, calling it a reward for terrorism that would endanger Israel’s security. “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it,” Netanyahu wrote on X, accusing the Palestinians of seeking a state “instead of Israel.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also criticized the decision, labelling it “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism,” and warned that Israel would not allow the creation of a Palestinian entity that could pose a threat to its existence.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed those concerns, stating that the United States “strongly rejects” Macron’s plan. He warned that France’s recognition of Palestine “only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace,” calling it “a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.”
Despite the backlash, President Macron confirmed France’s intention to move forward with recognition. In a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron reaffirmed France’s long-standing support for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
“True to its historic commitment… I have decided that France will recognize the state of Palestine,” he said, adding that he would make the formal announcement in September during the UN General Assembly.
With this move, France is poised to become the first major Western power to officially recognize a Palestinian state — a significant shift that may influence other countries, especially given its role as home to both Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities.
