Macron Says Recognizing A Palestinian State Is Not A Taboo For France

PARIS — As worldwide displeasure with Israel’s activities in the Palestinian territories deepens, French President Emmanuel Macron believes recognising a Palestinian state is not a ”taboo”.

France and the EU have long advocated for a two-state solution in the Middle East but as part of a negotiated settlement. With talks long deadlocked and Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza intensifying, some European countries are expressing support for recognising a Palestinian state sooner.

Macron Says Recognizing A Palestinian State Is Not A Taboo For France

“Recognising a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France,” Macron said Friday at a meeting in Paris with Jordan’s King Abdullah. “We owe it to Palestinians, whose aspirations have been trampled for far too long.” We owe it to Israelis, who endured the biggest antisemitic massacre of our time. We owe it to a region striving to rise above those who incite disorder and sow resentment.

Macron should have specified when or under what conditions France could recognise a Palestinian state, and France is unlikely to make such a move unilaterally. However, France has significant diplomatic power as one of just five permanent United Nations Security Council members.

Macron Says Recognizing A Palestinian State Is Not A Taboo For France

“Our regional partners, particularly Jordan, are working on it, and we are working with them. “We are ready to contribute to it, both in Europe and at the Security Council,” Macron added.

He also called for a cease-fire in Gaza and warned that an Israeli offensive on Rafah, near Egypt’s border, would result in a “humanitarian disaster without precedent.”

British Foreign Minister David Cameron stated earlier this month that his country may officially recognise a Palestinian state following a cease-fire in Gaza.

Macron Says Recognizing A Palestinian State Is Not A Taboo For France

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Palestinian statehood, and there have been no real talks for a two-state solution since 2009. Some of Israel’s important allies may recognise a Palestinian state, putting pressure on Israel to resume negotiations.

SOURCE – (AP News)