US rejects France’s Palestine move; Rubio calls reckless.
diplomat condemned France’s recent decision to recognize the State of Palestine, calling it deeply misguided and offensive. He stated that the move is a “slap in the face to the victims of the October 7 attack,” emphasizing that such unilateral actions undermine ongoing efforts toward a negotiated two-state solution. The diplomat further warned that France’s recognition could embolden extremist elements, destabilize the region, and send the wrong message at a time when unity against terrorism is critically needed.
US Rejects France’s Palestine Recognition Plan, Calls It a ‘Slap in the Face to Victims of October 7’
Tensions flared this week as France announced its intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September. The move, hailed by some as a significant step toward peace, has drawn sharp criticism from the United States and Israel—both of which argue it risks legitimizing terrorism and undermining regional stability.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a scathing response on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), condemning French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision. In a strongly worded post, Rubio said, “The United States strongly rejects @EmmanuelMacron’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the @UN General Assembly. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.”
Rubio’s statement referred to the horrific attacks carried out on October 7, 2023, by Hamas militants, which resulted in the deaths of over a thousand Israeli civilians and marked one of the darkest days in Israel’s recent history. For Rubio and others in Washington, recognizing Palestinian statehood in the wake of such events appears deeply insensitive and potentially dangerous.
In Paris, however, President Macron defended his government’s stance. Announcing the decision on Thursday, he emphasized that France’s recognition of Palestine is part of a broader strategy to revive a long-stalled peace process in the Middle East. According to Macron, the only sustainable solution is a two-state framework—one where Israelis and Palestinians coexist peacefully, each with their own sovereign nation.
“This recognition is not a reward for violence,” Macron said in his televised address. “It is an acknowledgment that peace cannot be achieved without justice, and justice requires mutual recognition.”
More than 140 countries around the world already extend diplomatic recognition to Palestine, but France’s status as a key player in global politics and the European Union adds new weight to the conversation.
Unsurprisingly, Israel reacted with outrage.
In a fiery statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused France of “rewarding terror.” He insisted that the Palestinians have no intention of coexisting with Israel but rather seek to replace it altogether.
“Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel,” Netanyahu told reporters, echoing long-standing concerns that any Palestinian state could quickly fall into the hands of Hamas or other extremist factions.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also took to X to voice his disapproval, warning that history may be doomed to repeat itself.
The Israeli foreign minister’s comments reflect deep-seated skepticism within the Israeli government over international promises of security and peace. Many Israeli officials point to the failed Oslo Accords and the violent aftermath of the Gaza disengagement in 2005 as cautionary tales.
“The Oslo process failed because it was built on empty promises,” Sa’ar added.
Meanwhile, global reactions to France’s announcement remain mixed. Human rights advocates and some European politicians have welcomed the decision as a bold step toward peace and accountability. Others worry it will complicate already fragile regional dynamics and potentially embolden radical groups.
As the UN General Assembly approaches, the debate over Palestinian statehood is once again at the forefront of international diplomacy. With France stepping into a leadership role and the U.S. and Israel pushing back, the coming months could prove critical in shaping the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
For now, the world watches—hopeful for peace, but wary of the political fault lines that continue to deepen.