France Defends Plan to Recognize Palestinian State Amid Criticism

Israel Slams Decision as Rewarding Terror; US Says It 'Only Serves Hamas Propaganda'

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PARIS — France defended its decision to recognize Palestinian statehood amid domestic and international criticism on July 25, including against the charge that the move plays into the hands of militant group Hamas.

President Emmanuel Macron said on July 24 that his country would formally recognize a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September, the most powerful European nation to announce such a move.

Mr. Macron's announcement drew condemnation from Israel, which said it "rewards terror," while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it "reckless" and said it "only serves Hamas propaganda."

Mr. Mike Huckabee, US Ambassador to Israel, quipped that Mr. Macron did not say where a future Palestinian state would be located.

"I can now exclusively disclose that France will offer the French Riviera and the new nation will be called 'Franc-en-Stine'," he said on social media platform X.

Hamas itself — which is designated a terrorist group by the US and the European Union — praised the French initiative, saying it was "a positive step in the right direction towards doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people."

But French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on July 25 argued that Mr. Macron's initiative went against what the militant group wanted.