France To Recognise Palestinian Statehood, Angering Israel, US

Photo: AP

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will officially recognise Palestine as an independent state. This big decision has made Israel and the United States very angry. Many people think that now other countries like Britain and Canada might also think about doing the same in the future.

What Did President Macron Announce?

President Macron wrote a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. In this letter, he told Abbas that France wants to recognise Palestine as a country. He also said that France will try to convince other countries to do the same. Macron plans to make this announcement formal at the United Nations General Assembly meeting next month.

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Why Is This Decision Important?

France is the first major Western country to change its diplomatic stand on this issue. Before France, only Spain, Ireland, and Norway had recognised Palestine as a country last year. The decision is mostly symbolic because Israel still controls the areas where Palestinians want their country – the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.

But this move is very important because it makes Israel look more alone in the world over its war in Gaza. Many people around the world are worried about the hunger and destruction in Gaza. The head of the World Health Organization recently said that Gaza is facing man-made mass starvation.

What Is Happening In Gaza?

Israel is at war with Hamas militants in Gaza. There is a lot of suffering and destruction there. Many people do not have enough food. Israel says that it is letting aid enter Gaza, but it wants to control it to stop Hamas from taking it. Israel says it has sent enough food but blames Hamas for the suffering of Gaza’s 2.2 million people.

Why Did Macron Take This Step?

President Macron has been thinking about this decision for many months. He wants to keep the idea of a two-state solution alive. A two-state solution means Israel and Palestine can both exist as separate countries living side by side in peace. Macron made this decision before a big UN conference next week that France and Saudi Arabia will co-host. He hopes that by announcing this now, he can convince other countries that are thinking about recognising Palestine to also take the step.

How Might This Affect France’s Relationship With Israel?

Before Macron made this announcement, Israeli officials tried hard to stop him. Some Israeli officials even called this decision “a nuclear bomb” for the relationship between France and Israel. Sources say that Israel warned France that this decision could hurt their security ties. Israel hinted that it might share less intelligence with France and make it harder for France to work on regional projects. There were also hints that Israel could annex parts of the West Bank as a response.

Who Could Be The Next Country To Recognise Palestine?

Because of France’s decision, other countries may now feel pressure to do the same. France is home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim populations, so its decision is very influential. Britain, Germany, Australia, Canada, and Japan may now think about recognising Palestine in the future. For now, Malta and Belgium could be the next countries within the European Union to recognise Palestine.

A British cabinet minister said that Britain supports the idea of recognising Palestine in the future. But right now, the priority should be to stop the suffering in Gaza and reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Which Countries Have Already Recognised Palestine?

Last year, Spain, Ireland, and Norway recognised Palestine as a country. They said that Palestine’s borders should be like they were before the 1967 Middle East war. In that war, Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.

These countries also said that the exact borders may change later if Israel and Palestine reach a final agreement. Their decision does not mean that they are against Israel. They said they still support Israel’s right to exist in peace and security.

Today, about 144 out of 193 United Nations member countries recognise Palestine as a state. Most of these are countries in the Global South, like India, China, and Russia. But only a few European Union countries recognise Palestine. These include some former Communist countries, Sweden, and Cyprus.

In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly voted to upgrade Palestine’s status from “entity” to “non-member state.” This was like giving it de facto recognition as a sovereign state.

How Did Israel React?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised France’s decision. He said that recognising Palestine “rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy.” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called the decision “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism.” He said Israel would not allow any Palestinian entity that could harm Israel’s security or existence.

What Did The United States Say?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that America strongly rejects Macron’s plan. He called it “reckless” and said it helps Hamas propaganda. Rubio said that this decision is “a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.” He was talking about the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 that led to the current war in Gaza.

How Did The Palestinian Authority React?

The Vice President of the Palestinian Authority, Hussein Al Sheikh, thanked France for its decision. He said that it shows France respects international law and supports the Palestinian people’s right to have their own independent country.

What Could Happen Next?

France’s decision could encourage more countries to recognise Palestine as a state. This could put even more pressure on Israel during the ongoing war. It may also push the world to think more seriously about peace talks and a two-state solution.

For now, people will watch to see what France says at the United Nations next month and how other countries react to this big decision.