France defends move to recognise Palestinian State despite criticism

France has defended its decision to recognise a Palestinian state, rejecting criticism that the move supports militant group Hamas.

President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France would officially recognise Palestinian statehood during a United Nations meeting in September, making it the most influential European nation to take such a step.

The announcement triggered strong backlash from Israel and the United States. Israel called the move “a reward for terror,” while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio branded it “reckless” and accused France of strengthening Hamas propaganda. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee mocked Macron’s plan, sarcastically suggesting that France would give up the French Riviera for a new nation called “Franc-en-Stine”.

Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the US and EU, welcomed the move, calling it “a positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people.”

However, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot responded on Friday, saying Hamas has consistently rejected a two-state solution and that France’s recognition directly opposes the group’s ideology. “By recognising Palestine, France goes against that terrorist organisation,” Barrot wrote on X, adding that the move is backing “the side of peace against the side of war.”

Domestically, the decision has sparked mixed reactions. Left-wing politicians praised it, while right-wing leaders condemned it. Jordan Bardella, head of the far-right National Rally (RN), described the decision as “rushed” and warned it gives “unexpected institutional and international legitimacy” to Hamas. RN parliamentary leader Marine Le Pen called it equivalent to “recognising a Hamas state and therefore a terrorist state.”

On the left, Jean-Luc Mélenchon of France Unbowed praised the announcement as “a moral victory” but criticised the delay, warning that Gaza could become a “graveyard” by September.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, aligned with the right, declined to comment, while Francois-Xavier Bellamy, vice president of the conservative Les Republicains party, argued the decision could be “counter-productive” or “pointless.” He stressed that Macron previously outlined conditions for recognising a Palestinian state—including Hamas’s disarmament, exclusion from future governance, release of all Israeli hostages, and broader Arab recognition of Israel—none of which have been met, he said.

Public opinion in France was also split. While some, like developer Julien Deoux, said it was “about time” the move happened, others, like 79-year-old retiree Gil, said they felt “betrayed” by Macron’s decision.

France is not alone. Other nations, including Norway, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and several non-European countries, have already recognised a Palestinian state in recent months. Once France formalises its recognition, at least 142 countries globally will have done so.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also hinted at possible UK support, saying he would discuss ceasefire efforts and Palestinian recognition in a call with French and German leaders. However, Germany reiterated that it had no plans to recognise a Palestinian state “in the short term.”