French President Emmanuel Macron says recognition of 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 long 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 expressing support for early recognition of a Palestinian state.
“Recognition of a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France,” Macron said in a meeting in Paris with Jordan’s King Abdullah on Friday. “We owe it to the Palestinians, whose aspirations have been trampled on for too long. We owe it to the Israelis, who experienced the worst anti-Semitic massacre of our times. We owe it to a region that is trying to rise above those who promote chaos and sow revenge.”
Macron has not explained when and under what conditions France might recognize a Palestinian state, and France is unlikely to make such a decision unilaterally. But France holds important diplomatic clout, being one of only five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
“Our partners in the region, especially Jordan, are working on it, we are working on it with them. We are ready to contribute, in Europe and in the Security Council,” said Macron.
He also called for a ceasefire in Gaza and warned that an Israeli offensive in Rafah, on the border with Egypt, would lead to an “unprecedented humanitarian disaster.”
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 resume negotiations.