TEL AVIV, July 24 — Israel has strongly condemned France’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine, accusing Paris of encouraging terrorism.
“We strongly denounce France’s decision to recognize Palestine,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on the social media platform X. “Such a move promotes terrorism,” he added.
We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7 massacre. Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became.
A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a…
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 24, 2025
Justice Minister Yariv Levin echoed Netanyahu’s criticism, calling France’s recognition “a black mark in the country’s history.” According to Levin, by recognizing Palestine, France is directly supporting terrorism.
The backlash comes after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will officially recognize Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
“I have decided that France, in line with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, will recognize the State of Palestine,” Macron stated on his official X account. “This formal declaration will be made during the UN General Assembly in September.”
Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.
I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September.… pic.twitter.com/VTSVGVH41I
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 24, 2025
The French president emphasized that the most urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to civilians.
