French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce France’s recognition of the State of Palestine on Monday. However, the release of hostages held by Hamas is “a clear condition before we open an embassy,” Macron said in an interview with U.S. news agency CBS on Sunday.
“This is the first set of conditions and requirements we will establish in the peace process. But we will declare the recognition of the State of Palestine on Monday, September 22.”
Recognition of the State of Palestine is not a move in favor of Hamas, Macron emphasized, responding to critics—particularly in the United States—who condemned his decision.
“I am not meeting Hamas’s expectations,” he argued, calling the group “fixated on the destruction of Israel.” He continued: “But I recognize the legitimacy of so many Palestinians who want a state, who are a people. They want a nation, they want a state, and we must not push them toward Hamas.”
Macron’s Plan for Gaza
According to the French president, the next step will be the formation of a credible government in Gaza and the reconstruction of the devastated enclave, with the ultimate goal of a two-state solution.
“This will isolate Hamas and give Palestinians a future beyond terrorism,” he noted. “The war did not defeat Hamas.”
Macron openly criticized Israel’s “total destruction” strategy, stressing that “total war did not defeat Hamas; on the contrary, it brought them new recruits.”
“We need diplomacy to achieve security,” he added, underlining the necessity for the international community to pivot toward political initiatives.
