French President Emmanuel Macron says recognizing a Palestinian state is not a “taboo” for France as international frustration grows with Israel's Actions in the Palestinian Territories.
France and the EU have a long time supported a two-state solution in the Middle East, but as part of a negotiated solution. With talks long stalled and Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza intensifying, some European countries are voicing support for earlier recognition of a Palestinian state.
“Recognizing a Palestinian state is not taboo for France,” Macron said on Friday at a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah in Paris. “We owe it to the Palestinians, whose hopes have been trampled on for too long. We owe it to the Israelis, who have experienced the worst anti-Semitic massacre of our time. We owe it to a region that seeks to rise above those who promote chaos and sow revenge.”
Macron did not elaborate on when and under what conditions France might recognize a Palestinian state, and it is unlikely that France will make such a decision unilaterally. However, as one of only five permanent members of the UN Security Council, France has important diplomatic clout.
“Our partners in the region, especially Jordan, are working on it, we are working with them on it. We are ready to contribute to this, in Europe and in the Security Council,” Macron said.
He also called for and warned of a ceasefire in Gaza Israeli offensive in Rafah on the border with Egypt would lead to a “humanitarian catastrophe without precedent.”
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said earlier this month that his country could officially recognize a Palestinian state after a ceasefire in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Palestinian statehood, and there have been no substantive negotiations on a two-state solution since 2009. A move by some of Israel's key allies to recognize a Palestinian state could put pressure on Israel to restart negotiations.