President Donald Trump rejected the plan of French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday to recognize a Palestinian state – a remarkably softer reaction than the sharp conviction of State Secretary Marco Rubio and other top republicans, who dismissed the movement the day before.
“What he says doesn’t matter,” Trump told reporters in the White House. “He is a very good guy. I like him, but that explanation has no weight.”
Macron went to X on Thursday to announce his intention for France to recognize a Palestinian state at the General Assembly of the United Nations in September.
Macron went to X on Thursday to announce the formal recognition of France of the Palestinian state in the General Assembly of the United Nations in September. (Teresa Suarez/Pool/AFP via Getty images)
Israeli officials object to the expected cease -the resolution of the UN security council
Macron mentioned the need for an “immediately ceases -the fire, as well as the release of all hostages and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza in his reasoning for the move of France. He also claimed that Hamas should be demilitated and Gaza had to be rebuilt in a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that he shared on X.
“The French people want peace in the middle,” Macron wrote in the letter translated into English on X. “It is up to us, the French, together with the Israelis, the Palestinians and our European and international partners, to show that it is possible.”
The letter claimed that “peace is possible”, while Macron said he is working to convince other partners to follow the example.
Recognition of Palestine remains largely symbolic because it does not automatically grant a UN membership or complete diplomatic ties. About 150 of the 193 UN Member States recognize Palestine as a sovereign state.
The words of Trump were much softer than the strong punishment by State Secretary Marco Rubio and Senator Lindsay Graham, RS.C., and Senator Tom Cotton, R-ank., On Thursday.
Rubio called the recognition of France “reckless” and a “slap in the face” for victims of the Hamas attack of 7 October shortly after Macron had made the announcement on Thursday.
“The United States strongly rejects the plan of French President Emmanuel Macron to recognize a Palestinian state at the general meeting of the UN,” Rubio wrote on X.
“This reckless decision only serves Hamas -Propaganda and puts peace back. It is a slap in the face of the victims of 7 October.”
President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron shake Hand during a joint press conference in the East Room in the White House on 24 February in Washington, DC Trump rejected Macron’s plan on Friday to recognize a Palestinian state. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty images)
Trump Admin is at Israel, rejects the resolution of UN, supported by UK and France
Sen. Lindsay Graham, RS.C., and Senator Tom Cotton, R-ank., Joined Rubio in sounding against Macron.
“The decision of the French government to acknowledge a Palestinian state is curious and disturbing on multiple levels. I am sure this will encourage Hamas and make a strike -the fires more difficult,” Graham wrote on X.
Graham also scoured what he said, the shortcomings of such a plan were and asked a series of rhetorical questions in combination with sarcasm.
“Who is in charge? What are the boundaries and boundaries? What is the administrative structure? Hamas is political or militarily involved? Is the West Bank and Gaza part of a single state? Can they have an army? Can the education system change?” Graham wrote
“Different from this few missing details, it seems like a waterproof plan!”
Cotton also shot the movements as a ‘shameful approval of terrorists’.
“The best way to end this conflict is to support Israel in his just mission to save the hostages and to beat Hamas,” said Cotton.
Israeli officials responded quickly and sharply to Macron on Thursday.
In the meantime, Israeli officials reacted quickly and sharply.
“We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the aftermath of the massacre of October 7,” said Prime Minister Benajamin Netanyahu in a statement.
Palestinians mourn family members who were killed in the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, in a Hospital Morue in Deir Al-Balah, Tuesday 9 July 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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“Such a movement rewards terror and risks to create another Iranian proxy, just like Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these circumstances would be a launch platform to destroy Israel – not to live next to it. Let’s be clear: the Palestinians are not looking for a state besides Israel.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Yariv Levin called the move “a black spot about the history of France and a direct boost for terrorism.”
He added: “The land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel, and even the statement of President Macron will not change that.” Levin called on Israel to apply sovereignty about Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley and called it “a just and historical response to the shameful decision of the president of France.”
