President Donald Trump dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state, a move that has been met with strong condemnation from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top Republicans. Macron announced his intention for France to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly next September, citing the need for an “immediate ceasefire” and the release of all hostages and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. He also claimed that Hamas must be demilitarized and Gaza rebuilt in a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Recognition of Palestine remains largely symbolic as it does not automatically grant UN membership or full diplomatic ties. Around 150 out of 193 UN member states recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. Trump’s words were much gentler than the strong rebukes by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who called France’s recognition “reckless” and a “slap in the face” to victims of the October 7 Hamas attack.
Israeli officials responded swiftly and sharply to Macron, condemning the move as a direct boost to terrorism and rewarding terror. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin called the move “a black stain on France’s history” and called for Israel to apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley.
