Amid heightened tensions between Jerusalem and Paris, two French senior officials arrived in Israel for meetings with Israeli officials.
Their visit comes ahead of the June conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, which aims to advance the implementation of the two-state solution.
Israeli officials claim that the conference, set to take place in approximately two weeks, is intended to promote unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state—a claim France firmly denies.
“The primary goal of the document expected to emerge from the June conference is to formulate a broadly shared international vision for disarming Hamas, securing the release of all hostages, reforming the Palestinian Authority, and planning for the day after, including through the prospect of a two-state solution,” one senior French official told The Jerusalem Post.
The source added emphatically, “The June conference is not centered on recognizing a Palestinian state.”
Despite these assurances, suspicions persist in Israel that France’s statements are meant to placate concerns while quietly advancing the issue of unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state behind the scenes.
Macron hints he would recognize Palestinian state, prompting pushback from Israel, US
Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France might recognize a Palestinian state in June, prompting sharp criticism from senior Israeli and American officials. “The French President is waging a crusade against Israel,” a source in the Israeli Foreign Ministry charged last week. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee also criticized Macron, stating, “If France is so determined to see a Palestinian state, I have a suggestion for them—give them a piece of the French Riviera.”
Against this backdrop, Arab states are urging France to recognize a Palestinian state. However, it remains unclear how many countries will decide to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN event or the level of leadership that will attend.
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