France Asserts Independence on Palestine Recognition, Urges End to Brutality in Gaza
Paris, The Gulf Observer: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reaffirmed France’s independent stance on recognizing a Palestinian state on Tuesday, declaring that no external power would dictate its foreign policy. His comments came amid mounting tensions surrounding the war in Gaza and diplomatic rifts with Israel over President Emmanuel Macron’s intention to recognize Palestinian statehood in June.
Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly, Barrot made a strong appeal for diplomacy over military force. “No one will dictate France’s position,” he stated. “France will do it because France believes in a lasting political solution for the region—in the interest of Israel’s security as well as in the interest of the Palestinians’ security.”
Barrot criticized the Israeli government’s ongoing military actions in Gaza under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that the approach has failed to achieve its stated objectives. “In no way has the brutal force promised by Mr. Netanyahu’s government enabled the release of the hostages, nor has it led to the disarmament of Hamas so far,” he said.
Calling for an immediate shift in strategy, Barrot emphasized the need for diplomacy and humanitarian access: “That brutal force must now give way to negotiation—for a ceasefire, for the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid that civilians in Gaza need, and for the release of all hostages held in Hamas’s tunnels.”
France, according to Barrot, continues to work with international partners to rally support for the recognition of a Palestinian state as part of a broader peace initiative.
His remarks follow sharp criticism from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who accused Paris of rewarding terrorism. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sa’ar denounced the French position: “A ‘unilateral recognition’ of a fictional Palestinian state, by any country, in the reality that we all know, will be a prize for terror and a boost for Hamas.”
Despite such objections, France remains committed to a two-state solution, positioning itself as a leading voice in efforts to secure both Israeli and Palestinian security through political, not military, means. The debate signals rising international pressure for a shift in policy toward a negotiated end to the Gaza conflict, now in its seventh month.
