When Emmanuel Macron announced France’s intention to recognize Palestinian statehood, it provoked a furious response from Israel and sparked a diplomatic dispute with the US. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a letter accusing the French government of not doing enough to “confront the alarming rise of antisemitism” in France. He added a sharp and direct criticism: “Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this antisemitic fire.”
In the same letter, Netanyahu praised Donald Trump for his efforts to “protect the civil rights of American Jews.”
The French president’s office condemned Netanyahu’s remarks as “abhorrent,” with Benjamin Haddad, the French minister delegate for Europe, stating that France has “no lessons to learn when it comes to fighting antisemitism.”
However, US Ambassador to France Charles Kushner supported the Israeli prime minister in an open letter to Macron published in the Wall Street Journal. Kushner, whose son is married to Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka, argued that recognizing a Palestinian state would “embolden extremists and endanger Jewish life in France.”
In a highly unusual move, Kushner was summoned by the French foreign ministry, which called his allegations “unacceptable” and a breach of the international legal principle against interfering in other nations’ internal affairs.
Kushner was not wrong to highlight that antisemitism in France is a serious issue—it has been a stain on the country’s history for centuries. Over the past two decades, murders, assaults, and other crimes targeting Jewish individuals and communities have heightened fear. Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents—including physical violence, threats, and property damage—have surged.
More broadly, France has struggled to address the racism that runs through its society. The National Consultative Commission on Human Rights reported this year an “explosion of racist acts” (including antisemitism), reaching “an unprecedented level since data collection began.” I have often written about racist crimes targeting Muslims in these columns. Yet, there is still no institution with enough resources to tackle systemic racism effectively.
But we can criticize France’s failure to address racism while also rejecting the idea that it has any connection to recognizing Palestine’s right to exist.
When Kushner claims that “anti-Zionism is antisemitism—plain and simple,” he is deliberately creating a dangerous confusion. And while France’s stance on Palestine is a first for a G7 country, it’s important to remember that, globally, recognition is the norm: 147 of the 193 UN member states—including several in the EU—already recognize Palestine.
Given the ongoing genocide in Gaza, recognizing Palestine now seems like an overdue necessity. Israel has devastated nearly all of Gaza and continues its violent colonization of the West Bank in defiance of international law, with the Israeli army and settlers killing Palestinian civilians daily. Against this backdrop, what practical meaning does it have to announce readiness to recognize a Palestinian state? For years, Gaza has been described as an open-air prison and an act of apartheid. The Israeli government’s rejection of a Palestinian state is part of a broader plan to annex both Gaza and the West Bank. Under these circumstances, what territory would even be left to recognize? Netanyahu’s letter to Macron appears to be an attempt to divert attention from a far more troubling agenda: the systematic erasure of Palestinian territories and identity.
Macron’s “solemn announcement” on Palestine to the UN General Assembly is scheduled for next Monday, September 22. Wouldn’t it be a better first step for France to announce concrete sanctions against Israel? Netanyahu is under an international arrest warrant for war crimes, and…Despite an international arrest warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity, he was permitted to use French airspace while traveling to the U.S. in July.
While the EU has introduced its 19th package of sanctions against Russia for its “war of aggression against Ukraine,” it has yet to impose any sanctions on Israel. The EU-Israel association agreement, which grants trade and economic benefits, remains in effect even as Israel is accused of deliberately causing famine in Gaza. According to an investigation by Disclose, France continues to supply military equipment to Israel “regularly and continuously” and even supports funding for its arms industry. France’s defense ministry denies these allegations, but Amnesty International points to a concerning lack of transparency. How can France credibly advocate for the autonomy of a state it is simultaneously helping to undermine?
The U.S., for its part, is hardly in a position to lecture others on protecting citizens’ rights. Research showed that Trump’s campaign rallies before his first term were followed by an increase in hate crimes, including antisemitic incidents. An Amnesty International report on the first 100 days of a hypothetical second Trump term described it as an “assault on human rights.”
In his response to Netanyahu, Macron rightly condemned the Israeli leader’s comments as “manipulation,” emphasizing that France is dealing with “the exploitation of a conflict that isn’t ours but deeply affects our national unity and citizens’ security.”
However, Macron’s shift from an initially pro-Israel position to supporting Palestinian recognition seems more about securing a lasting legacy. His domestic influence has weakened significantly since his 2024 decision to call a snap election. After fueling social and political unrest at home by ignoring voters, Macron is now turning to the international stage to salvage his reputation. Recognizing Palestine years ago, when a two-state solution still seemed feasible, would have been meaningful. Doing so now to polish his global image comes across as cynical and empty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Frances recognition of Palestinian statehood framed in a natural conversational tone with direct answers
General Beginner Questions
Q What does recognizing a state actually mean
A It means one country officially acknowledges another territory as a sovereign independent nation with defined borders and a functioning government Its a major political and diplomatic step
Q Why is France considering this now and not years ago
A This is the core of the cynicism The immediate reason is likely mounting international pressure especially following recent recognitions by Spain Ireland and Norway Its seen as a way to regain diplomatic influence and push for a twostate solution that is fading
Q What would change practically if France recognizes Palestine
A On the ground very little Israel would still control borders security and resources in much of the territory The change is mostly symbolic and diplomatic giving Palestine more legitimacy in international forums like the UN
Q Isnt this just a symbolic gesture Whats the real point
A Yes it is largely symbolic The point is to use Frances diplomatic weight to strengthen the Palestinian negotiating position and try to force a renewed peace process based on a twostate solution
Q Why does this matter to people in France
A It matters because France positions itself as a global leader It also impacts Frances large Muslim and Jewish communities for whom the IsraeliPalestinian conflict is deeply personal The governments stance can affect domestic social cohesion
Advanced Critical Questions
Q If this is the right thing to do why has France waited so long What were the previous excuses
A Historically France and other EU nations argued that statehood should be the result of a successful peace agreement with Israel not a precondition for it They feared premature recognition would alienate Israel and the US and derail negotiations
Q Is this move more about French domestic politics than foreign policy
A Quite possibly The government may be trying to appeal to its left wing and Frances large Arab and Muslim diaspora especially to counter the farrights growing influence on these issues
Q How does this affect Frances relationship with Israel and the United States
