Israel’s Foreign Minister Claims France’s Recognition of Palestinian State May Distance ‘Peace’
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has denounced French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that Paris could recognise a Palestinian state by June, saying it would be a “prize” for terrorism.
Saar’s remarks were posted on X in response to Macron’s statements on Wednesday that his country would recognise Palestine as a state next June during a conference that is due to be held in New York and co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.
Macron called Palestinian state recognition a moral and political necessity. “We must move toward recognition, and we will do so in the coming months,” he told France 5 TV
Saar added that the “unilateral recognition of an imaginary Palestinian state by any country, given the situation we are all familiar with, will only reward terrorism and strengthen Hamas”.
A "unilateral recognition" of a fictional Palestinian state, by any country, in the reality that we all know, will be a prize for terror and a boost for Hamas.
These kind of actions will not bring peace, security and stability in our region closer – but the opposite: they only…— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) April 9, 2025
Saar is notoriously known for opposing any political settlement with the Palestinians. During previous Israeli assaults on Gaza in 2009 and 2014, he was a vocal opponent of any ceasefire with resistance groups in the enclave.
In February 2024, Saar voted in the cabinet against the establishment of a Palestinian state, affirming his previous opposition to any Palestinian statehood.
In December 2019, he said that the two-state solution was an “illusion”, claiming that the boundaries of the State of Israel are “between the river [Jordan] and the [Mediterranean] Sea”.
Over 140 UN members already recognize Palestine. Last year, Spain, Ireland, and Norway joined the list. France’s decision comes as Israel’s genocide in Gaza surpasses 50,000 killed since October 2023.
