French President Emmanuel Macron has revealed plans for France to potentially recognise Palestinian statehood as early as June, Politico reports.
The announcement came during Macron’s interview with French broadcaster TF1 on Wednesday, following his three-day diplomatic visit to Egypt where he witnessed firsthand the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
We must move toward recognition, and we will do so in the coming months. I’m not doing it for unity, or to please this or that person. I’m doing it because at some point it will be fair.
The move is expected to be coordinated through an international conference France is co-hosting with Saudi Arabia in June, aimed at advancing the two-state solution. The French leader highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, noting the complete blockade since 2 March has prevented essential supplies like food, water and medicine from reaching the territory.
I want to believe in peace; today the conflict has intensified and it’s terrible … Since March 2, there’s nothing going in [to Gaza] – no water, no food, no medication, and none of the injured are coming out.
The proposed recognition would draw fierce criticism from Israeli officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned recognising Palestinian statehood as “rewarding terrorism,” while Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar warned it would undermine regional stability.
France’s Crif Jewish organisation similarly denounced the plan as an “unacceptable political victory” for Hamas while Israeli hostages remain captive.
