France To Announce Recognition Of Palestinian State: PM Netanyahu Is Furious, Israeli Defense Minister Calls Aib

JAKARTA - President Emmanuel Macron's plan to announce the recognition of the Palestinian State by France has drawn strong criticism from Israeli officials.

In a post on X President Macron's social media announcing France's plan to recognize the Palestinian State at the UN General Assembly next September, it hopes it will help bring peace to the region.

"In accordance with its historical commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided France will recognize the Palestinian State," President Macron said.

"I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September," he added.

France, home to Europe's largest Jewish and Muslim communities, will be the first major Western country to recognize the Palestinian state, potentially providing greater momentum to the movement so far dominated by small countries that are generally more critical of Israel.

The announcement sparked Israeli outrage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced President Macron's decision, saying the move "gives respect to terror and risks creating other Iranian proxies."

"Palestinian countries under these conditions will be the launch pad to destroy Israel not to coexist with it. Let's be clear: Palestine doesn't want a country beside Israel; they want a country, not Israel," PM Netanyahu said in a post on X.

The idea of France, one of Israel's closest allies and a member of the G7, being able to recognize the Palestinian state, would certainly anger PM Netanyahu.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Israel's warnings to France ranged from reducing intelligence division to complicating the Paris regional initiative, even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.

Meanwhile, Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, described the move as "a disgrace and surrender to terrorism," adding Israel would not allow the creation of a "Palestinian entity that would jeopardize our security, endangering our existence."

President Macron is known to have long leaned towards recognition of the Palestinian State as part of efforts to maintain the idea of a two-state solution, despite the pressure not to do so.

In a diplomatic cable in June, the United States said it was against any move that would unilaterally recognize the Palestinian State, saying it could conflict with US foreign policy interests and have consequences.

French officials initially considered this move ahead of the United Nations conference, which is planned to be jointly organized by France and Saudi Arabia in June to set parameters on the roadmap to the Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security.

However, the conference was postponed under pressure from the United States and after Israel-Iran air warfare for 12 days began, where regional airspace was closed, making it difficult for representatives of several Arab countries to attend.

The conference was rescheduled and lowered to a ministerial level event on July 28-29, with the second event set to take place with heads of state and government on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The decision to make an announcement ahead of next week's conference aims to give the French team at the United Nations a framework to cooperate with other countries that are also considering recognizing the Palestinian State or are still hesitant in doing so.

Diplomats say President Macron is facing resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada at his push for recognition of the Palestinian State.

On the other hand, Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent what some have described as a "nuclear bomb" for bilateral relations.