U.S. and Israel condemn France’s move to recognize Palestinian state by September

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has strongly denounced French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to formally recognize a Palestinian state, calling it a “reckless decision” that undermines peace efforts and fuels Hamas propaganda.

In a post on X late Thursday, Rubio criticized Macron’s announcement, warning it would “set back peace” and embolden extremist groups. The condemnation comes as President Donald Trump’s administration confirmed it would not participate in an upcoming United Nations conference, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at outlining a roadmap for a two-state solution.

Macron declared earlier in the week that France would move to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, stating, “In keeping with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine.” If carried through, France would become the most powerful Western nation and the first G7 member to formally make such a move.

Israel responded with sharp rebuke. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Macron’s decision “rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy.” He further claimed a Palestinian state “would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it.” Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the sentiment, calling the recognition “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism.”

Although 142 out of 193 UN member states have recognized or plan to recognize a Palestinian state, major powers like the U.S., UK, and Germany have withheld such support. Earlier this year, Ireland, Norway, and Spain announced steps to formally recognize Palestine.

Despite the U.S. maintaining a longstanding official support for a two-state solution, President Trump has expressed skepticism. Since returning to office in January, Trump has floated controversial ideas, including relocating Gaza’s population and transforming the region into a tourist destination, sparking international condemnation as tantamount to “ethnic cleansing.”

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee recently stated that an independent Palestinian state was no longer a U.S. priority. The comment was later downplayed by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, who noted that foreign policy decisions rest with the President and the White House.

The dispute unfolds as Israel faces mounting international pressure to end its 21-month-long war in Gaza. The conflict, which began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 140,000. A joint statement from 28 nations this week urged an immediate end to the conflict and condemned the continued suffering of civilians.