Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday that he is against the creation of a Palestinian state, reiterating his longstanding stance as international backing for a two-state solution increases.
During a telephone call, Netanyahu declared his "strong opposition" to Palestinian statehood, labeling it "a major reward for terrorism," a statement from his office said.
He cautioned that a Palestinian state formed "just minutes" from Israeli cities would become "a stronghold of Iranian terrorism" and added that "an overwhelming majority of the Israeli public strongly opposes it."
It reaction, Macron renewed the French government's backing of Israeli security on his X handle. "Release of all the hostages has always been a prior obligation, just like the demilitarization of Hamas," he wrote. Macron also brought out the importance of the adoption of a ceasefire for the freedom of the Palestinian civilians in Israeli-occupied land being held in hostage by Hamas and the importance of the facilitation of opening up all of its humanitarian crossing avenues for aids for Gaza civilians.
The call followed Macron's remarks last week, where he hinted that France might recognize a Palestinian state "in June." Appearing on France 5 TV, he stated, "We need to move toward recognition (of a Palestinian state), and so, within the coming months, we will."
France is also poised to co-chair a session with Saudi Arabia at the United Nations in New York in June, intended to push a two-state resolution in the face of Israel's continued military actions in Gaza.
The West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem—the land Palestinians are looking for an independent state—have been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East conflict, with Israel holding on to them amid global outcry.
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