Palestinians hold mixed views as France prepares to recognize state
Palestinians expressed mixed opinions Friday after French President Emmanuel Macron said he'd recognize a Palestinian state, with enthusiasm mitigated by the world's failure to stem suffering in Gaza.
"We hope it will be implemented, and we hope that most or all countries around the world will follow France's lead in recognizing the Palestinian people's right to an independent state," said Nabil Abdel Razek, a resident of Ramallah, home to the Palestinian Authority.
Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, the PA was intended to be a building bloc towards the establishment of a state.
At a newsagent in the central square of the West Bank city, several front page headlines mentioned President Emmanuel Macron's late Thursday evening announcement.
"All of these decisions not only affirm the rights of the Palestinian people, but also contribute to changing the violent reality in the region and lead to greater stability," said Ahmed Ghoneim, a political militant, as he headed off to a demonstration in solidarity with Gaza.
Ghoneim said he also hopes France's move will inspire other European countries, given that at least 142 of the 193 U.N. member states recognize a Palestinian state, according to an AFP tally.
But analysts are more cautious.
"The question for Palestinians is what will France do NOW about Israel starving them in Gaza," Nour Odeh, a political commentator, wrote on X.
Others also agreed the main issue for Palestinians is Gaza.
"What France should have recognized is the genocide and taken measures to end it and end the occupation," said Ines Abdel Razek, co-director of the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD).
In an interview with AFP, she said France should cut relations with Israel and impose a trade embargo.
"An example of a brave gesture is the Colombian president asking his army to block boats transporting energy and arms to Israel, she said.
While saying France's promise is just "symbolic", Samer Sinijlawi, another political militant, noted Macron's call for elections in the Palestinian territories and said this "brings us hope".
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