Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a scathing rebuke of French President Emmanuel Macron’s planned recognition of Palestine as an independent state, calling the move “a reward for terror.”
In a statement posted to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu’s office expressed strong condemnation, warning that the recognition — expected to be made official by Macron in September 2025 — could dangerously empower groups hostile to Israel.
> “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it,” the statement read. “Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel.”
The Israeli government further claimed that Macron’s policy risks turning Palestine into another Iranian proxy, similar to the situation in Gaza, where Hamas — a group supported by Iran — has launched repeated attacks against Israel.
“This step risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became,” the statement continued.
Macron has not yet formally responded to Netanyahu’s remarks, but reports indicate that France’s recognition will align with other European efforts aimed at reviving the stalled two-state solution — a proposal long backed by the international community but increasingly rejected by Israel’s current leadership.
Analysis: Rising Tensions Over Statehood and Security
France’s expected recognition of Palestine would mark a significant diplomatic shift among Western powers and could deepen the rift between Europe and Israel. It also comes amid ongoing regional instability, including renewed clashes in the West Bank, growing pressure on Gaza, and Hezbollah activity in Lebanon.
Observers warn that Macron’s move, while symbolic, could have real geopolitical consequences — including further strain on France-Israel relations and a harder stance from Netanyahu’s government.
