US blasts ‘reckless' Macron as France is first G7 nation to recognise Palestine state – in ‘face slap' to Oct 7 victims
The White House described President Macron's controversial decision as a "slap in the face to the victims of October 7".
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France will become the first G7 nation to view Palestine as its own state starting in September, Macron said on Thursday.
Just 140 out of 193 UN members currently view the State of Palestine.
Notable exceptions include the US, UK, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan.
Macron announced the move on X as he wrote: "True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine.
"We must also guarantee the demilitarisation of Hamas, and secure and rebuild Gaza.
"Finally, we must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the Middle East.
"There is no alternative."
A formal announcement will be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York in five weeks time.
Macron has already sent a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming his decision.
The US was quick to condemn Paris as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington "strongly rejects" the announcement.
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Rubio issued a scathing statement on social media as he said: "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace.
"It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th."
The US has been one of Israel's main allies since the Hamas terror attack sparked an all out war in Gaza back in 2023.
In the almost two years since, Israel has launched several military operations targeting those who helped to orchestrate the massacre.
The airstrikes, ground offensives and constant bombardments of the Gaza strip have led to serious concerns over the safety and future of Palestinian civilians.
At least 59,106 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the Gazan health ministry.
And almost two million Palestinians have reportedly been displaced from the region.
Israel has vowed to continue on the war path until they have secured the release of all of the remaining hostages snacthed on October 7.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been adamant that Hamas must be wiped out in its entirety so they cannot attack ever again.
Netanyahu issued his own aggravated statement on France's move as he said it "rewards terror".
He also warned it "risks creating another Iranian proxy" in the Middle East where Israel has already been facing constant attacks from Hamas and the Houthis.
"A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it," Netanyahu said in a post on X.
"Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel."
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the move as "a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism".
Hamas praised Macron and said France's decision was a "positive step in the right direction" and urged all other countries to follow their lead.
Paris' decision is now set to place further pressure on those nations yet to declare a Palestinian state like the UK.
Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting calls, including from his own MPs, to join France and recognise a State of Palestine.
Starmer is yet to announce any such move but did release a statement on Thursday saying statehood is an "inalienable right of the Palestinian people".
But he believes a ceasefire in the region is a much more pressing issue to end the bloodshed.
Sir Keir said a temporary pause on the conflict would "put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution".
An "emergency call" between the UK, France and Germany is due to take place today to discuss "what we can do urgently to stop the killing".
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