Criticism Of France's Plan To Recognize Palestinian State, US Foreign Minister: Profits Hamas Propaganda

JAKARTA - The United States Secretary of State criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to recognize the Palestinian State, assessing it only benefits the Hamas militant group and hinders peace.

"The United States firmly rejects President Emmanuel Macron's plan to recognize the Palestinian State at the UN General Assembly," he tweeted on social media X, as quoted Friday, July 25.

"This reckless decision will only benefit Hamas propaganda and hinder peace. This is a slap in the faces of the victims on October 7th," he continued.

Earlier, President Macron in his post on social media X announced France's plan to recognize the Palestinian State at the UN General Assembly next September, hoping it would 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.

The United States strongly rejects @EmmanuelMacron’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the @UN general assembly.

This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 25, 2025

The United States strongly rejects @EmmanuelMacron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the @UN general assembly.

This reboundless decision only beams Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slope in the face to the victims of October 7th.

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

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.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In June, US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said he did not believe the independent Palestinian state would remain Washington's foreign policy destination.

President Donald Trump himself has expressed his doubts about a two-state solution, proposing the takeover of Gaza by the US in February, which is condemned by human rights groups, Arab countries, Palestinians, and the United Nations as a proposal for "ethnic cleansing".

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 idea came under strong criticism from Israel, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Katz said. It is also said to anger Israel, with sources familiar with the matter, Israel's warnings to France range from reducing intelligence division to complicating the Paris regional initiative, even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.

It is known that the latest conflict in Gaza broke out after a Palestinian militant group attacked Israel's southern region on October 7, 2023, leaving 1,200 people dead and 251 others held hostage according to Israeli calculations.

Israel responded to this by blocking, airstrikes and military operations in the Gaza Strip region.

Israel and the Palestinian militant group agreed to a ceasefire as well as exchange of hostages and detainees on January 19. At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are believed to be still alive. The majority of the initial hostages have been released through diplomatic negotiations, although the Israeli military has also released several hostages.

On March 2, Israel again carried out a total blockade against Gaza on the pretext of pressuring Palestinian militant groups to agree on a ceasefire proposed by the United States and a exchange of hostages. Over the end of the ceasefire agreement, Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18.

As of yesterday, Palestinian deaths in the Gaza Strip since the latest conflict broke out have reached 59,587, while 143,498 others have been injured, according to a medical source in Gaza, quoted from WAFA.