The US on Thursday (native time) sharply criticised French President Emmanuel Macron’s choice to recognise the State of Palestine, calling it a “reckless transfer” that encourages Hamas and undermines peace efforts, in keeping with a submit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a submit on X, stated the transfer was a setback to regional stability and an insult to the victims of the October 7 Hamas assault.
Reacting to Macron’s announcement on X, Rubio stated, “The US strongly rejects @EmmanuelMacron’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state on the @UN Basic Meeting. This reckless choice solely serves Hamas propaganda and units again peace. It’s a slap within the face to the victims of October seventh.”
Rubio’s assertion got here simply hours after Macron declared that France would formally recognise a Palestinian state on the upcoming United Nations Basic Meeting session in September, France 24 reported.
In a social media submit, Macron stated, “The pressing factor immediately is that the battle in Gaza stops and the civilian inhabitants is saved.”
He added, “Given its historic dedication to a simply and sustainable peace within the Center East, I’ve determined that France will recognise the state of Palestine. Peace is feasible.”
In accordance with France 24, Macron’s announcement marks a shift in tone from his preliminary assist for Israel after the October 7 Hamas assault. Over the months, the French president has more and more expressed concern over Israel’s army actions in Gaza and burdened the necessity for extra humanitarian assist.
Macron additionally shared a letter addressed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, confirming his choice. Responding to the transfer, Abbas’s senior aide, Hussein al-Sheikh, welcomed the choice and stated,
“This place displays France’s dedication to worldwide legislation and its assist for the Palestinian folks’s rights to self-determination and the institution of our impartial state.”
The announcement has drawn sturdy criticism from Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Macron’s choice, calling it an act that rewards terrorism.
“We strongly condemn President Macron’s choice to recognise a Palestinian state subsequent to Tel Aviv within the wake of the October 7 bloodbath. Such a transfer rewards terror and dangers creating one other Iranian proxy, simply as Gaza grew to become,” Netanyahu stated, as quoted by The Jerusalem Publish.
“A Palestinian state in these circumstances can be a launch pad to annihilate Israel, to not reside in peace beside it.” He added, “Let’s be clear: the Palestinians don’t search a state alongside Israel; they search a state as an alternative of Israel.”