France’s stance on Palestinian statehood triggers sharp Israeli criticism “Screw You”

Department of Research, Studies and International News 14-04-2025

The ongoing diplomatic tensions between Israel and several European nations have intensified following recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding France’s potential recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron announced that Paris might formally acknowledge Palestinian statehood within a few months, an intention that provoked strong condemnation from Israeli officials, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly responded, issuing a firm statement denouncing Netanyahu’s criticism of Macron. The ministry described the Israeli Prime Minister’s remarks, as well as those of his son, Yair Netanyahu, “Screw you!” “Yes to independence of New Caledonia! Yes to independence to French Polynesia! Yes to independence of Corsica! Yes to independence of the Basque Country! Yes to independence of French Guinea!” he added, apparently confusing it with French Guiana.” as offensive and unjustified, emphasizing that such rhetoric undermines international efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has consistently opposed the creation of a Palestinian state. His administration has repeatedly rejected the two-state solution framework, which envisions an independent Palestine existing alongside Israel. In fact, Netanyahu has publicly taken credit for hindering the Oslo Accords, the 1993 peace initiative that laid the groundwork for potential Palestinian sovereignty.

In a recent statement, Netanyahu accused President Macron of making a serious misjudgment by endorsing Palestinian statehood. “President Macron is gravely mistaken in continuing to promote the idea of a Palestinian state in the heart of our land, a state whose sole aspiration is the destruction of Israel,” Netanyahu declared.

His comments referenced the Hamas-led attack on Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023, which Netanyahu described as the most severe assault on Jews since the Holocaust. He further criticized Palestinian leadership, including both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, for what he claimed was their failure to condemn the violence. According to Netanyahu, this silence reveals the true intentions of Palestinian leaders towards the Israeli state.

These comments were met with backlash not only from the Palestinian side but also within French political circles. Right-wing voices in France expressed their disapproval, prompting Macron to clarify his position. On Friday, he reiterated France’s commitment to both Israeli security and Palestinian sovereignty. “I support the legitimate right of Palestinians to a state and to peace, just as I support the right of Israelis to live in peace and security,” Macron wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He added that France remains dedicated to working with international partners to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The recent strain in Israeli-French relations highlights a broader shift in international attitudes toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in Europe. Although France has historically supported the two-state solution, a formal recognition of Palestine would represent a significant policy shift and a bold departure from the approach of allies like the United States, which has long resisted recognizing Palestinian statehood.

If France follows through with its announcement, it would become the most influential European power to officially acknowledge Palestine as a state. This move could have considerable geopolitical implications and would likely further strain ties with Israel, which maintains that premature recognition by foreign governments undermines peace negotiations and rewards what it views as extremist violence.

The momentum behind recognizing Palestinian statehood has been growing internationally. Nearly 150 countries have already granted such recognition. In 2024 alone, several European nations, including Ireland, Norway, and Spain, formally recognized Palestine, with Slovenia joining them shortly after. These decisions were largely driven by international outrage over Israel’s military operations in Gaza following the October 2023 attacks. For many of these countries, recognition serves as both a political stance and a humanitarian message, condemning what they see as disproportionate Israeli responses and prolonged occupation.

The French president’s comments were welcomed by Palestinian groups, including Hamas, which expressed approval of Macron’s position. This endorsement adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as any perceived alignment with Hamas can provoke fierce opposition from Israel and its allies.

As France moves closer to potentially recognizing Palestine, the international community is watching closely. Whether Macron’s statement translates into concrete diplomatic action remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that this development has reignited fierce debate over the viability of a two-state solution, and the role of global powers in shaping the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations.