France has announced that it will officially support the recognition of Palestine in September. This came straight from French President Emmanuel Macron, who said the top priority now is to end the war in Gaza and protect civilians.
But not everyone is happy.
The United States and Israel quickly slammed Macron’s move. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it was a “slap in the face” to the victims of Hamas’s October 2023 attack. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went even further. He said recognising Palestine “rewards terror” and puts Israel in danger.
France’s Big Move
France will become the most powerful European country to recognise Palestine. Macron made this decision during a time when over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing extreme hunger, bombings, and a massive humanitarian crisis. He said that peace is not possible without building a real and working Palestinian state.
Macron added that this state must be peaceful, without weapons, and must also recognise Israel fully.
“We need peace and a two-state solution,” he said.
The US and Israel Push Back Hard
The US rejected France’s announcement. Rubio said it helps Hamas and blocks peace talks.
Israel was furious. Netanyahu compared it to turning Gaza into another Iran-backed area. He said France is helping terrorism and hurting its own history.
Israel’s Deputy PM Yariv Levin said it’s now time for Israel to take full control over the West Bank.
Palestine and Hamas Respond
Palestinian leaders welcomed the move. A top official, Hussein al-Sheikh, said this shows France believes in the rights of Palestinians.
Even Hamas, the group behind the October 2023 attack, praised France. They called it a “positive step” and asked other countries to do the same.
What Other Countries Are Doing
France is not alone. Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia have also recognised Palestine.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is talking with Germany and France about how to stop the war. He says a ceasefire will help move towards recognising Palestine.
Saudi Arabia called France’s step “historic.” Ireland called it the “only way to lasting peace.”
The Ground Reality
The war has killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The October 2023 Hamas attack killed 1,219 Israelis, again mostly civilians. The world remains deeply divided.
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