Huckabee: If France wants a Palestinian state, build it in the French Riviera
Hamas condemned Huckabee's statement in the Fox News interview, calling it a "flagrant disregard for the legitimate national rights of our people."
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized on Saturday France's decision to organize a UN conference that would see the recognition of a Palestinian state within a two-state solution.
"It's incredibly inappropriate in the midst of a war that Israel is dealing with to go out to present something that Israelis are steadfast against," he told Fox News in an interview. "If France is really so determined to see a Palestinian state, I've got a suggestion for them: carve out a piece of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state.
"They're welcome to do that, but they're not welcome to impose that kind of pressure on a sovereign nation. I find it revolting that they think they have a right to do that sort of thing. I hope they reconsider. But the United States will not be part of this.
The Hamas terrorist organization condemned Huckabee's statement in the Fox News interview, calling it a "flagrant disregard for the legitimate national rights of our people" and "reaffirms the full American bias towards the Zionist occupation and its expansionist colonial approach." The terror organization then called on the UN to "take a serious stand to support our Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to obtain their freedom."
Huckabee's Fox interview comes days after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot delivered a speech on Wednesday that reiterates the country's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, urging "the implementation of a two-state solution."
The following day, the US spoke against France at the UN Security Council that it firmly rejected "any attempt to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state."
French President Emmanuel Macron said in April that France could recognize a Palestinian state in June, adding that, in turn, some countries in the Middle East could recognize the state of Israel.
Regarding Saturday's Fox News interview, Huckabee said that "pro-Israel Americans need to be concerned that there is a rift between the US and Israel," but noted that there are disagreements between the two countries in how to end the Gaza war and bring back the remaining 58 hostages still in the Palestinian enclave. He emphasized the relations between the two countries are not "at risk, splintered, or fractured."
"It's critically important that the United States maintain its partnership - I use that word very deliberately - it's not a friendship nor is it an alliance, it's a partnership, which means that we are yoked together in our intelligence sharing and military."
He continued the Fox News interview by referring to the yellow ribbon pin on his suit, saying, "one of the happiest days of my life is when I can take this pin off, permanently put it away, never to wear it again - because that will mean that all the hostages will have come home."
Speaking on the Abraham Accords, the ambassador said he was unsure which countries could join the agreements next, but noted that he was confident that there would be an expansion of the accords under Trump's second term.
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In an interview by email, Chalençon answered in a concise and frank manner question regarding his personal connection to Napoleon; his motivation to amass such a collection; his process of curating his collection; and the collection's historic, cultural and public significance. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Pierre-Jean Chalençon: From childhood, I was struck by Napoleon's extraordinary destiny. He is the symbol of ascension through merit, of military and political genius, and above all, he demonstrated an iron will. He is this mythical figure, both human and superhuman, he is a self-made man. French empire gold, enamel and diamond necklace watch, with an estimate of $45,700 - $68,500 PJC: Yes absolutely – it was a letter from Napoleon written when he was still at military school. In fact, it is the first letter by his hand ever known to exist. Acquiring this letter made me realise that historical artefacts have a soul. PJC: It's grown and deepened as my collection expanded. The more items I collected the more they enabled me to understand the man behind the icon. Napoleon wasn't just a conqueror; he was a reformer and a master builder. My collection holds a mirror to the extraordinarily multi-faceted person he was. PJC: Passion is the driving force, but it also requires discipline, an immense curiosity, networking and sometimes, yes, a little bit of luck. It's a lifelong endeavor, carried out with an almost sacred obsession. PJC: It's a tough choice to make. I do like his gold seal, which was stolen from his carriage at Waterloo. It's extraordinary to have found this unique piece, which he held so dear. This was the only seal he used to ratify the most important documents of the Empire. The will is also an interesting piece. It is perhaps one the most important manuscript in the history of France. A man facing his destiny. Napoleon's personal gold and ebony seal with an estimate of $171,350 - $285,583 PJC: Yes, there are many and, in truth, every new acquisition carries with it a special story and is an adventure. PJC: I work with leading experts, and I research archives, correspondence and provenances. It's an almost archaeological process. There's no room for error. PJC: They reveal an extremely human character. We move from imperial splendor to extreme destitution at Saint Helena. And yet, the same strength of soul endures throughout. It's overwhelming. But I leave it to future visitors to New York and then Paris to discover some little-known memorabilia that will undoubtedly change their view of the man. The Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honor with an estimate: $171,350 - $228,466 PJC: Yes, definitely – such as the idea that he was a cold tyrant. His letters, his personal belongings, show a sensitivity, a generosity, sometimes a fragility that contradict this cliché. PJC: The Anglo-Saxons are fascinated by the romantic aspect of his period as an exile. Asians see him as a military and strategic genius. The French, for their part, oscillate between admiration and ambivalence. Americans recognize in him the man who started from nothing and conquered Europe in a decade. Napoleon remains endlessly fascinating. PJC: We are the custodians of parts of history the state cannot always preserve, and we share it. It is a mission, almost a duty. The herald sword and stick used during the coronation ceremony at Notre-Dame de Paris, with an ... More estimate of $228,466 - $456,933 PJC: The time has come. We must learn when to pass on such collections. These objects must continue to live on; to inspire and I want others to be able to carry this legacy forward. PJC: History moves on, but Napoleon is eternal. PJC: They are not just relics, but fragments of a destiny that changed the history of humanity and of a man who is still, today, perhaps the most famous historical figure in the world. The religious marriage certificate of Napoleon and Joséphine with an estimate of $34,270 - $57,116 PJC: My dream would be for a buyer to come forward and purchase the entire collection. It's not a gathering of objects, but a truly complete and logical collection. It brings together the most important objects from the empire as well as the finest works of art from the period. PJC: I own all of them. PJC: Perhaps the buyer of the entire collection will do so, and I will be at their entire disposal to continue this adventure.
