Photo credit: Euro News
France is making plans to recognize a Palestinian state.
Politico reports that French President Emmanuel Macron said it could do so as early as June.
Mr Macron said he hoped that by recognizing Palestine as a state, other countries would follow suit.
He said, “We must move toward recognition, and we will do so in the coming months. I’m not doing it for unity or to please this or that person. I’m doing it because at some point it will be fair.”
Israel resumed its bombardment of the Gaza Strip last month after a two-month truce expired with ceasefire talks breaking down between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Israel has stopped the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict resonates deeply in France which is home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities. Israel is also home to a large French-speaking community that has kept strong ties to France.
Macron’s decision is likely to antagonize Israel. The French Jewish umbrella group Crif has slammed Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state, calling it “an unacceptable political victory” for Hamas while dozens of Israeli hostages are still being held in Gaza.
