French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot asserted that France is “determined” to recognize a 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 recognise a Palestinian state,” he said, adding, “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.”
The ongoing situation in Gaza is “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,” Barrot noted.
In April, French President Emmanuel Macron said France may recognize a Palestinian state in June.
“We need to move towards recognition (of a Palestinian state). And so over the next few months, we will. I’m not doing it to please anyone. I’ll do it because at some point it will be right,” he said during an interview, as reported by Reuters. “And because I also want to take part in a collective dynamic that should also enable those who defend Palestine to recognise Israel in their turn, something that many of them are not doing.”
Last week, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted strikes to “achieve operational control in the areas of Gaza.”
“This is part of preparations to expand operations and fulfill the objectives of the war—including the release of hostages and the dismantling of the Hamas terrorist organization,” IDF said. “IDF troops will continue to operate in order to protect Israeli civilians and achieve the objectives of the war.”
