According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he “rewards terrorism” and poses an existential threat to Israel. Netanyahu said on Thursday after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize the Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. In the meantime, this intention was welcomed by the vice president of the organization for the liberation of Palestine (PLO) Hussein Ash-Shoech, TASR writes, according to AFP reports and The Times of Israel (Toi).
Netanyahu stated in a statement published by his office that France’s decision provides a “starting base to destroy Israel”. “Let’s be clear: Palestinians do not ask the state next to Israel, they ask the state instead of Israel,” he added.
Israeli ministers talk about the threat to security
The head of Israeli diplomacy Gideon Saar also expressed criticism, according to which “the Palestinian state will be the state of Hamas”, referring to the Palestinian militant movement with which Israel runs a war in the Gaza Strip.
Minister of Justice Jariv Levin described Paris as “direct support for terrorism” and a black spot in France’s history.
According to Defense Minister, Jisrael Kac, Israel “will not allow the creation of a Palestinian entity that would harm our security”.
Reaction of the Palestinians and allies
Finance Minister Becalel Smotrič said that France’s announcement “gives Israel another reason” to annex the western shore of Jordan, who occupies since 1967, and “once and for all end with a dangerous illusion of the terrorist Palestinian state”.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on the X network that Macron’s step is a sign of “moral collapse” and will be “thrown into the basket of history”.
However, France’s intention was welcomed by the vice president of the organization for the liberation of Palestine (PLO) Šajch, who, according to AFP, expressed his thanks to President Macron. “This attitude reflects France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights for self -determination and establishing our independent state,” said Šajch.
The decision was also welcomed by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. “Together we have to protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. A two -state solution is the only solution,” wrote Sánchez on X.
