Macron’s Push for Palestinian Statehood at UN Sparks Global Storm; US and Israel Condemn Move as “Reckless”

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has triggered a global diplomatic row with his announcement to formally back the recognition of a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in September. The declaration, made amid growing international outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, has been fiercely opposed by Israel and the United States, who accuse Macron of undermining regional stability and encouraging extremist groups.

The White House reacted sharply, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling Macron’s plan “a slap in the face to the victims of Hamas” and warning that such a move would only embolden militant factions. “This reckless decision sets back peace and plays directly into the hands of Hamas propaganda,” Rubio posted on social media platform X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the criticism, accusing Macron of “rewarding terrorism” and claiming the recognition would turn Palestinian territory into an Iranian outpost. He warned that France was endangering Israel’s national security. Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin called the move “a black mark on French history” and urged Israel to consider applying full sovereignty over the West Bank in response.

Macron, defending his decision, stated that recognizing Palestine is a necessary step toward ending the conflict, rebuilding Gaza, and ensuring long-term peace in the region. “The urgent priority is to stop the war and rescue civilians,” Macron wrote. “We must finally build the Palestinian state and guarantee its viability.”

His stance was welcomed in Palestinian territories, where Hussein al-Sheikh of the Palestinian Authority praised it as a reaffirmation of international law and the Palestinian right to self-determination. Hamas also hailed Macron’s announcement as “a positive step” and called on other European nations to follow suit.

France now joins over 140 countries that have either recognized or committed to recognizing Palestine. The move comes on the heels of similar declarations by Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Slovenia. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez backed Macron, saying, “Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy.”

The diplomatic clash has further inflamed the ongoing conflict, which, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, has claimed more than 59,000 Palestinian lives since October 2023. Israel’s October 7 retaliation followed a Hamas-led attack that killed 1,219 people.