Civil images in skeletal and hungry Gaza, including children, refer to the darkest moments of the twentieth century. And Macron reacted to this – boldly. And desperate
The recognition of the state of Palestine by France is a bold Macron gesture, with a touch of despair
Analysis of Joseph atamanCNN
With a single publication, French President Emmanuel Macron changed everything – and at the same time, nothing changed.
His announcement, made at the end of the night on social network X, which he goes in September, being the first member of the United Nations Security Council and G7 to do so, picked up many by surprise.
Although recognition of France had been expected several months ago -in fact, the brief war between Israel and Iran forced the postponement of the summit over Israel -Palestina with Saudi Arabia and European allies, which Paris came to lead -was not expected to happen this way.
Two conclusions
The surprise ad reveals us two things.
First: Emmanuel Macron feels that this is the time to act. Leaders of France, the United Kingdom and Germany are expected to speak this Friday to appeal to an urgent action in the face of the extreme aggravation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
More than a thousand citizens of Gaza have been killed since May while desperately sought food and dozens of others died from their own hunger.
Images of skeletal and hungry civilians, including children, refer to the darkest moments of the twentieth century, causing revulsion in the West – although still without translating into concrete actions – in the face of the humanitarian crisis.
Macron’s decision is bold – following the example of some European allies: Ireland, Norway and Spain – and paves the way for great international powers to do the same.
“I have talked to other colleagues and I am sure we will not be the only ones to recognize Palestine in September,” the French presidency told CNN after the announcement of Macron.
Now the eyes probably turn to the UK, perhaps also to Germany. The possibility of the United States, Israel’s closest ally even without the presidency of Trump, seems impossible.
But for those on the ground, the French decision will probably change little.
The movement was greeted by Hamas as a “positive step.” For Israeli leaders, it was not well accepted at all.
Macron’s recognition “rewarding terror,” said Prime Minister (and former Longtime Opponent of the Palestinian State), Benjamin Netanyahu, on Thursday night, with other ministers arguing that the decision now justifies the official attachment of the West Bank-Judea and Samaria in the language of the far-right Israeli.
The same feeling was quickly shared by the United States, which have been increasingly in disagreement with its Western allies in Europe in relation to the war of Israel in Gaza.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US “vehemently reject” the Macron plan.
“This reckless decision only serves to propagate Hamas and delays peace,” wrote Marco Rubio on social network X this Thursday. “It’s a flat in the face of the victims of October 7th.”
Even if international recognition could, by magic, provoke concrete changes in Gaza, the period of September too late for the Palestinians who are starving under the Israelite blockade to supply food.
Philippe Lazzarini, responsible for Unrwa, the main United Nations Agency for Palestinian refugees, said on Thursday that people in Gaza seemed “street corpses” due to the hunger that was settled.
The 2.1 million people in Gaza are now in a situation of food insecurity, and on Tuesday, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 900,000 children are starving.
About 70,000 children already show signs of malnutrition, according to the Ministry of Health.
A risky diplomatic bet?
A multitude of protesters gather around a large Palestinian flag during the “Red Line by Gaza” demonstration in Paris on July 8. Henrique Campos/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images/File
France’s solitary announcement also suggests a touch of despair by Macron.
He is a man who prefers a coalition on the world stage – the strength of number is usually a winning strategy.
A month ago, everything seemed to be prepared for France to recognize Palestine – a coorganized summit was planned with Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, from 17 to 20 June. But when the open conflict broke out between Israel and Iran on 13 June, this plan was destroyed.
The expectation among experts was that France and Saudi Arabia would bring together other allies for joint recognition – a strong sign for Jerusalem and Washington DC about the importance of solving two states and peace.
Macron may still get his victory in September if the allies join the recognition of France, but this will not happen without France risking their diplomatic capital and having to convince more reluctant partners.
“The idea is to exercise a little pressure on other countries,” the French officer told CNN.
And Macron’s decision has weight.
European nations have been persistently reluctant to formally act in favor of solving both states and recognize the existence of the Palestinian State. Respect for West Israel ally, aversion to the Islamist government in Gaza, and the failures of Palestinian authority in West Bank, as well as a seemingly acceptable status quo several decades ago, led to a revolt contained in Israeli settlements and attacks on Palestinians, with few changes in international action.
France is now breaking this glass ceiling.
In France, a country that has long maintained a sympathetic position to the Palestinian cause, the recognition of the existence of the Palestinian state will not be a controversial measure.
Post-the-world war leader Charles de Gaulle was known for supporting the Palestinian people after the 1967 war, with Paris getting involved with the organization to release Palestine for decades, even when terrorist attacks were committed on behalf of the group on French soil.
In 2014, the French parliament appealed to the government to recognize Palestine, an appeal that the government supported the United Nations Security Council in an unsuccessful vote to institute the Palestinian State by 2017.
France has long been defending a two -state solution to Israel and Palestine based on the 1967 borders, although a source of Elisha has stated that French recognition would not specify borders.
Macron firmly supported Israel’s retaliation for the October 7 massacres, but over time, he hardened his criticism of Netanyahu and the driving of war by Israel.
Publicly showed concern about the “import” from the conflict to France, a country that houses the largest community of Jews and Muslims in Europe.
However, as the number of victims in Gaza increased, France prohibited weapons exports to Israel, organized aid throws to the territory, and repeatedly appealed to a ceasefire, humanitarian aid access and journalists.
In making this leap of faith, recognizing the Palestinian state before its peers, the Elisha Palace certainly expects a domino effect of recognition throughout the West.
With the help yet cruelly out of reach of Gaza’s common population, it may be a last effort to bring some relief.
