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Leaders
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Leaders
US Envoy to Israel: France Can ‘Carve' Palestinian State out of Riviera
The US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has attacked France's call for recognizing the Palestinian state, stating that if it adopted such an outcome, it could 'carve out a piece of the French Riviera' and create one, according to Al-Arabiya. Attacking France The ambassador described the initiative at the UN as 'incredibly inappropriate when Israel is in the midst of a war.' '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 are welcome to do that, but they are not welcome to impose that kind of pressure on a sovereign nation,' Huckabee said. France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-chair an international conference this month at the UN in order to deeply consider a two-state solution. Meanwhile, Paris has unveiled that it could formally recognize a Palestinian state this year. Israel's Rejection of Palestinian State On Friday, Israel accused French President Emmanuel Macron of undertaking a 'crusade against the Jewish state.' The Israeli statement came after Macron's call for European countries to toughen up their stance on Israel if the humanitarian situation in Gaza did not improve. Unusual Response On Thursday, Israel announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. Consequently, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel planned to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the occupied West Bank. 'This is a decisive response to the terrorist organizations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land,' Katz said. Katz also noted that the new settlements would be a clear message to French President Emmanuel Macron and his associates: they will recognize a Palestinian state on paper – but Israel will build the Jewish Israeli state here on the ground. Serious Steps towards Recognition French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has recently said that France was 'determined' to recognize a Palestinian State. Barrot also condemned Israel's 'indefensible' situation in Gaza caused by its heavy airstrikes and blockade of humanitarian aid. 'We cannot leave the children of Gaza a legacy of violence and hatred. So, all this must stop, and that's why we are determined to recognize a Palestinian state,' Barrot told France Inter radio. Related Topics: France May Toughen Stance on Israel Over Gaza Aid Blockage Israel Plans to Build Jewish Israeli State in West Bank France 'Determined' to Recognize Palestinian State, PM Says Short link : Post Views: 14
Leaders
3 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Israel Plans to Build Jewish Israeli State in West Bank
Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel planned to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the occupied West Bank, according to Al-Arabiya. Katz's remarks follow Israel's announcement of the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. 'This is a decisive response to the terrorist organizations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land,' Katz said. Katz also noted that the new settlements would be a clear message to French President Emmanuel Macron and his associates: they will recognize a Palestinian state on paper – but Israel will build the Jewish Israeli state here on the ground. Recognizing Palestinian State Last week, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that France was 'determined' to recognize a Palestinian State, according to France 24. Barrot also condemned Israel's 'indefensible' situation in Gaza caused by its heavy airstrikes and blockade of humanitarian aid. 'We cannot leave the children of Gaza a legacy of violence and hatred. So, all this must stop, and that's why we are determined to recognize a Palestinian state,' Barrot told France Inter radio. In this regard, he also emphasized that Paris supported a Netherlands-led initiative for a review of the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Israel. 'And I am actively working towards this, because we want to contribute to a political solution in the interest of the Palestinians but also for the security of Israel,' he added. Barrot's statement came after French President Emmanuel Macron joined British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a rare joint statement that made Israel very angry. The participating states said that they would not stand by 'further concrete actions' if Israel continued to block aid. Furthermore, they stressed their commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state. Related Topics: Israel Expands West Bank Settlements Amid International Condemnation Global Outrage Over Israeli Shots at Diplomats in West Bank Israeli Forces Open Fire near Diplomats Touring West Bank: PA Short link : Post Views: 16
Leaders
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
France Denounces Israeli Claims of Inciting Hatred
France has condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar's accusations that European governments were inciting hatred against Israel, according to AFP. The statement came after a gunman shot two Israeli embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum and shouted 'free Palestine' as he was arrested. 'There is a direct line connecting anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder. This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and international organizations, especially from Europe,' Saar said. Mounting Tensions The relations between Israel and European countries have seen various tensions in recent days due to Israel's genocide in Gaza and its blockade of humanitarian aid. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday that France was 'determined' to recognize a Palestinian State, according to France 24. Barrot also condemned Israel's 'indefensible' situation in Gaza caused by its heavy airstrikes and blockade of humanitarian aid. A Move to Recognize Palestinian State 'We cannot leave the children of Gaza a legacy of violence and hatred. So, all this must stop, and that's why we are determined to recognize a Palestinian state,' Barrot told France Inter radio. In this regard, he also emphasized that Paris supported a Netherlands-led initiative for a review of the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Israel. 'And I am actively working towards this, because we want to contribute to a political solution in the interest of the Palestinians but also for the security of Israel,' he added. Joint Efforts Barrot's statement came after French President Emmanuel Macron joined British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a rare joint statement that made Israel very angry. The participating states said that they would not stand by, 'further concrete actions' if Israel continued to block aid. Furthermore, they stressed their commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state. Macron's Rejection of Netanyahu's Policies Macron also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of committing 'shameful and disgraceful,' actions in Gaza. In a special television appearance broadcast on the TF1 channel, Macron noted that it is not for Netanyahu to decide whether this constitutes genocide, but rather for historians. 'What Benjamin Netanyahu's government is doing today in Gaza is unacceptable. It is shameful and disgraceful,' Macron said. Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed at least 53,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 118,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Related Topics: Joint Statement: Over 70 UN Member States Call for Protecting Gazans Pressure Mounts on Israel over its Military Escalation in Gaza Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Israel's Ground Operations in Gaza Short link :
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel's aid access to Gaza insufficient, offensive must stop, France says
By John Irish PARIS (Reuters) -Israel's easing of humanitarian aid access to Gaza is insufficient, France's foreign minister said on Tuesday, warning its ally that the new offensive on Gaza had to stop or there would be consequences. Facing mounting pressure over an aid blockade it imposed in March and the risk of famine, Israel on Monday eased its blockade and let limited amounts of food into Gaza. But it has also stepped up its military campaign in the enclave, where Palestinian health officials said hundreds have been killed in attacks in the past week, including 50 on Tuesday after 130 overnight on Sunday to Monday. "It (the situation) is unsustainable because the Israeli government's blind violence, the blocking of humanitarian aid have turned Gaza into a place for dying, not to say a cemetery," Jean-Noel Barrot told France Inter radio. The Israeli campaign, triggered after Hamas Islamist militants attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, has devastated Gaza and pushed nearly all of its two million residents from their homes. The offensive has killed more than 53,000 people, many of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Five U.N. trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including food for babies, were allowed into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom Crossing on Monday. "This is completely insufficient," Barrot said. "All this must stop. We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Gazans. This aid must be immediate, massive and without any hindrance." In a rare strongly-worded statement, the leaders of Britain, Canada and France on Monday threatened concrete actions against Israel if it did not stop the renewed military offensive in Gaza and lift aid restrictions, piling further pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, they did not outline what actions could be taken and diplomats said the countries will remain prudent given their close strategic partnership with Israel in the region. Relations between France and Israel have soured in recent months as Paris has increasingly taken a tougher stance on events in Gaza and suggested it could recognise a Palestinian state at a meeting in New York on June 18, depending on certain conditions, drawing Netanyahu's ire. Netanyahu on Monday criticised the three leaders. "By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottowa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities," he said on X. When asked what concrete measures the three were referring to, Barrot indicated that at European Union level there was a growing call from some countries, including France, to review a long-standing association agreement with Israel to determine whether it is reneging on the clauses related to human rights. "Once (human rights) violations are established then it is possible that the (accord) can be suspended," Barrot said, adding that such a decision would have a trade impact on Israel. "The images coming back to us from Gaza, the situation of civilians, women and children, force us today to move forward," he said. (Additional reporting by Dominique Vidalon and Charlotte Van Campenhout, Editing by William Maclean)
Canada Standard
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
France 'determined' to recognise Palestinian state
France is "determined" to recognise a Palestinian state, its foreign minister said on Tuesday, condemning Israel for the "indefensible" situation in Gaza created by its military campaign and humanitarian blockade. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said this Tuesday that his country is "determined" to recognise a Palestinian state. He also reaffirmed that Paris backed a Netherlands-led initiative for a review of the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Israel, which could affect political and economic ties. "We cannot leave the children of Gaza a legacy of violence and hatred. So all this must stop, and that's why we are determined to recognise a Palestinian state," Barrot told France Inter radio. "And I am actively working towards this, because we want to contribute to a political solution in the interest of the Palestinians but also for the security of Israel," he added. President Emmanuel Macronhas left open the possibility that France could become the latest European nation to recognise a Palestinian state at a UN conference in June. France could recognise Palestinian state 'in June': Macron Barrot was speaking after Macron joined British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a rare joint statement that angered Israel. Thestatementsaid that "we will not stand by," threatened "further concrete actions" if Israel continued to block aid, and said that "We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state." Pressed over what these actions could entail, Barrot again urged the EU to agree to the Dutch request to review the association agreement between Israel and the bloc and, in particular, examine if Israel was violating the accord's commitments on human rights. He said this raises "the possibility of an eventual suspension" of an accord, which has political as well as commercial dimensions. "Neither Israel or the EU have an interest in ending that accord," he added. Britain, Canada, France threaten sanctions against Israel over Gaza Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorised a limited amount of humanitarian aid after more than two and a half months of a complete blockade of the Palestinian territory, which is facing a catastrophic humanitarian situation. But Barrot said this was "totally insufficient". The situation inGazais "indefensible because blind violence and the blocking of humanitarian aid by the Israeli government have turned Gaza into a death trap if not a cemetery." In a warning to Israel, he added: "When you sow violence you harvest violence." The war was sparked by Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Militants also took 251 hostages, 57 of whom remain in Gaza including 34 the military says are dead. Gaza's health ministry said Monday at least 3,340 people in the Palestinian territory have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 53,486. (AFP) Originally published on RFI
