Paris, July 25, 2025 – French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France will formally recognize Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September has triggered fierce backlash from Israeli leaders, escalating tensions in the already volatile Middle East.
Israeli Government Condemns Move as “Reward for Terror”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lambasted the decision, calling it an “existential threat” that provides “a launching pad for Israel’s annihilation.” In a statement reported by AFP, Netanyahu accused France of emboldening Hamas, the Palestinian militant group behind the 2023 attacks that ignited the Gaza war.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar echoed the sentiment, declaring, “A Palestinian state would be a Hamas state,” while Justice Minister Yariv Levin condemned the move as “a direct subsidy to terrorism and a dark stain on France’s history.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed Israel would “never allow a Palestinian entity that endangers our security.”
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich went further, suggesting the announcement gives Israel “another reason to annex the West Bank,” which it has occupied since 1967. The Israeli Knesset recently backed a motion urging formal sovereignty over the territory, a long-standing demand of Netanyahu’s coalition partners.
Macron’s Historic Declaration
On Thursday (July 24), Macron announced France’s intent to recognize Palestine during the UN General Assembly in September, framing it as a step toward “a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
“The urgent priority now is ending the war in Gaza and saving civilians,” Macron wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “We must finally build a Palestinian state, ensure its viability, and—through demilitarization and full recognition of Israel—enable it to contribute to regional security.”
France will join 142 other UN member states in recognizing Palestine, becoming the most significant European power to do so. The U.S. and Israel remain staunchly opposed.
Opposition Backlash and Regional Implications
Even Israeli opposition leaders criticized Macron’s move. Avigdor Lieberman, head of the nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, called it “a gift to terrorism and a boost for Hamas—an organization that committed the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.”
The decision comes amid stalled peace talks and ongoing violence in Gaza, where over 38,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to local health authorities. Analysts warn France’s recognition could encourage other EU nations to follow suit, further isolating Israel diplomatically.
“This isn’t just symbolism—it’s a seismic shift in the international community’s approach to the conflict,” said Middle East analyst Dr. Hana Salman. “France is betting that statehood recognition will pressure Israel back to negotiations, but Netanyahu’s government sees it as surrender.”
Giostanovalatto – Bali Today
