Several major American Jewish organizations declined a meeting with representatives of the French government after President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would formally recognize Palestine as a state.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot extended invitations to leading Jewish groups in the United States, but they were rejected by the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, B’nai B’rith International, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the UJA-Federation of New York, and the World Jewish Congress.
The groups issued a joint statement condemning Macron’s decision, warning that it emboldens extremists, undermines regional diplomacy, and places Jewish communities at risk worldwide. They noted that the meeting would have been pointless, as France’s policy appeared to be finalized prior to any consultation.
They accused the French government of effectively rewarding Hamas for its actions, stating that the recognition sends a dangerous message and dishonors the victims of the October 7, 2023 terror attacks.
France’s largest Jewish representative body, the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (Crif), also denounced Macron’s move. The organization said the decision marked a moral failure and would undermine future peace negotiations by encouraging the Palestinian leadership to reject compromise.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s far-left La France Insoumise welcomed the recognition, calling it a long-overdue response to Palestinian suffering and the product of persistent pro-Gaza protests in Paris.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the populist National Rally, criticized the recognition, saying it legitimized terrorism and undermined hopes for a true two-state solution. She warned that the move rewarded the perpetrators of the October 7 attacks while hostages remain in captivity.
