Macron denounced “misinformation” regarding a possible French recognition of a Palestinian state
President Emmanuel Macron has denounced “misinformation” about a possible French recognition of a Palestinian state, calling for “no effort to be spared” to achieve peace in the region.
Macron regretted the lack of accuracy in some of the information podted on the X platform “regarding our intentions regarding Gaza,” calling for not accepting any “abbreviation or provocation,” and for not contributing to the spread of “misinformation and manipulation,” stressing, “the need to remain united”.
Macron announced on Wednesday that recognition of a Palestinian state could take place in June during a conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia at the United Nations headquarters in New York, placing this within the framework of a reciprocal move for Arab countries to recognize Israel.
The position he made upon returning from Egypt sparked protests among the right and far-right in France.
Laurent Wauquiez, head of the parliamentary bloc of the Republicans party and a potential candidate for the French presidency, said, “When France receives congratulations from Hamas… I feel ashamed”.
Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi told AFP that Macron’s announcement of a plan to recognize a Palestinian state by June is an important step that will bring about a positive change in the international position regarding the rights of the Palestinian people.
For his part, Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally party, said that recognizing a Palestinian state in June “would be tantamount to granting Hamas, the Islamist and terrorist movement, the status of a legitimate interlocutor”.
Macron reiterated his affirmation of the legitimate right of the Palestinians to a state and to peace, as well as the right of the Israelis to live in peace and security, and the recognition of both by neighboring countries.
He stressed that the conference to be held in June must represent a turning point, and said, “I am making every effort with our partners to achieve this goal of peace… But to succeed, we must spare no effort”.
Calls for a two-state solution have increased since the outbreak of war in Gaza, sparked by an unprecedented attack launched by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Approximately 150 countries recognize the Palestinian state. In May 2024, Ireland, Norway, and Spain took this step, followed by Slovenia in June.
But the two-state solution is met with refusal by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
