Middle East Crisis Gaza War

Macron: France Will Recognize Palestine

France will recognize Palestine as a state, writes President Emmanuel Macron on X. This will happen in connection with the UN General Assembly in September.

The only option for lasting peace and security in the Middle East is to build a sustainable, demilitarized Palestinian state, which recognizes Israel and contributes to stability in the region, he writes, adding:

"The urgent need right now is to end the war in Gaza and save the civilian population."

France will be the first major Western power to recognize Palestine. Several European countries, including Sweden, have already done so. 

Israel Furious: “France Gives in to Terrorism”

France’s recognition of Palestine as a state is “a disgrace” and “a capitulation to terrorism,” writes Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on X.

“Instead of standing by Israel in this trying time, the French president is actively trying to weaken us,” he continues.

Israel will not allow a Palestinian state “that threatens our security, our existence and our historic right to the land of Israel,” writes Katz.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu writes that the decision “rewards terrorism and risks creating another Iranian proxy state, just as Gaza has become.”

Palestinian Authority Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh welcomes the announcement, which he says “underlines France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and an independent state,” writes AFP. 

Israel Blames UN for Food Shortages – Gets Sharp Rebuke

Israel claims that the famine in Gaza is due to the UN and Hamas refusing to distribute the emergency aid that is ready at the Kerem Shalom border crossing.

“Today, the IDF invited dozens of international journalists to see for themselves. Hundreds of trucks have been allowed into Gaza with Israel’s permission, but the supplies are just sitting there,” writes the Israeli Foreign Ministry on X.

UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric strongly rejects the accusations and says that Israel bears full responsibility, writes Politico.

– Kerem Shalom is not a McDonald’s drive-through where you drive up and pick up your order. There are enormous bureaucratic and security obstacles, and a reluctance to let us do our job.

A spokesperson for the UN humanitarian agency OCHA adds that the UN stands ready to deliver emergency aid, but that it requires Israel to allow the UN and its partners to use routes in Gaza that do not pose a security threat.