US Slams France’s Move to Recognise Palestinian State

Post by : Jyoti Singh

Photo: AFP

The United States has strongly spoken out against France's plan to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations officially. This has become a major point of disagreement between the two longtime allies.

On Thursday night, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared his opinion on social media, saying the French President Emmanuel Macron made a reckless decision. Rubio warned that such a step would only help the image of Hamas, a group that the U.S. and many other countries consider to be a terrorist organisation. He also stated that the move would make it more difficult to achieve peace in the region.Rubio posted on the platform X (formerly Twitter), This decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace.

President Macron had earlier announced that France would officially recognise Palestine as a state. He plans to make this move formal at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

In keeping with our history and commitment to peace in the Middle East, France has decided to recognise the State of Palestine,Macron posted.This announcement has caused a big reaction around the world.

What Is the Background?

So far, 142 out of the 193 countries that are members of the United Nations already recognise or plan to recognise a Palestinian state. However, several major Western powers such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany have not recognised it yet. These countries say the time is not right, and that recognition should only come after proper peace talks and agreements.

In May this year, some other countries in Europe – Norway, Ireland, and Spain – also announced they had started the process to recognise a Palestinian state. Still, France’s decision stands out. France is a member of the powerful G7 group and is one of Europe’s most influential nations. It also has strong historical ties with Israel. That’s why Macron’s move is seen as a bold step.

How Did Israel React?

Israel is strongly against the idea of a Palestinian state being recognised at this time. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded sharply. He said that such a move would reward terrorism and put Israel in danger.

A Palestinian state under these conditions would not be a peaceful neighbour,” Netanyahu said. “It would be a base for attacks meant to destroy Israel, not live beside it. He added, Let’s be clear: The Palestinians don’t want a state next to Israel – they want a state instead of Israel.Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, also condemned the move. He called it a disgrace and said it gave in to terrorism. He made it clear that Israel would not agree to any kind of Palestinian government or authority that could harm the country’s safety or future.

What About the United States?

Even though the United States has long supported the idea of two countries – one for Israelis and one for Palestinians – living side by side in peace, things have changed in recent years.

President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January, has cast doubt on whether a two-state solution is still realistic. He made headlines when he said that the U.S. could take over Gaza, remove the two million people who live there, and turn the area into something like the Riviera of the Middle East – a luxurious, tourist-friendly spot.

This idea was widely condemned. Human rights organisations, Arab governments, and the United Nations called the plan dangerous. Many said it sounded like ethnic cleansing – the forced removal of people from their homeland.

In June, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said he didn’t believe that creating a Palestinian state was still one of America’s goals in foreign policy. After his remarks sparked criticism, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce quickly responded by saying that Huckabee was speaking for himself. She said that foreign policy is decided by the president and the White House, not by individual ambassadors.

This week, another U.S. official, Tommy Pigott, confirmed that the United States will not attend an important United Nations meeting about the two-state solution. That meeting is set to take place between July 28 and 30. It will be co-led by France and Saudi Arabia, and the goal is to find a peaceful solution to the long-running conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.Pigott told reporters that the U.S. had nothing more to say on the matter, other than confirming that it would not be attending the meeting.

The Bigger Picture: War in Gaza

These political decisions are happening while the war in Gaza continues to cause suffering and anger across the world.

The war began after a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. In that attack, about 1,139 people in Israel were killed, and over 200 were taken hostage and brought into Gaza.

In response, Israel launched a major military campaign in Gaza. Over the past 21 months, nearly 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, and at least 144,000 more have been wounded, according to health groups in the region.

Despite many attempts to stop the fighting, a long-lasting ceasefire has not been reached. The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have tried to bring both sides to the table, but so far, there has been no real breakthrough.

Earlier this week, 28 countries – including the United Kingdom, Japan, and several European nations – issued a joint statement. They called on Israel to end the war and allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. They also criticised the slow pace of aid and the killing of civilians, especially children, who are trying to survive with little or no food or clean water.

What Comes Next?

As September approaches, the world will be watching France closely. Macron’s promise to recognise Palestine at the United Nations could push other countries to take similar steps, or it could deepen divisions among world powers.The U.S. is likely to continue standing with Israel for now, while France takes a more independent path. Whether this helps or hurts the peace process remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: the people living in the region – both Palestinians and Israelis – are suffering. And despite all the politics and public statements, peace still seems far away.Let me know if you'd like this article formatted as a printable PDF or translated into Hindi or another language