President Donald Trump on Friday downplayed French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to recognize a Palestinian state—a notably milder reaction compared to the strong rebuke from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other leading Republicans, who criticized the decision the previous day.
“What he says doesn’t matter,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “He’s a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn’t carry weight.”
On Thursday, Macron announced on X his plan for France to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in the upcoming September.
Macron used X to declare France’s official recognition of the Palestinian State at the United Nations General Assembly in September. (TERESA SUAREZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., joined Rubio in sounding off against Macron.
“The French government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state is curious and disturbing on multiple levels. I am certain this will embolden Hamas and make a ceasefire more difficult,” Graham wrote on X.
Graham also railed against what he said were the shortcomings of such a plan, asking a series of rhetorical questions paired with sarcasm.
“Who’s in charge? What are the borders and boundaries? What is the governance structure? Does Hamas stay involved politically or militarily? Is the West Bank and Gaza part of a single state? Are they allowed to have an army? Does the education system change?” Graham wrote
“Other than these few missing details, it seems like a foolproof plan!”
Cotton also blasted the moves as a “shameful endorsement of terrorists.”
“The best way for this conflict to end is to back Israel in its righteous mission of rescuing the hostages and defeating Hamas,” Cotton said.
Israeli officials responded swiftly and sharply to Macron on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials responded swiftly and sharply.
“We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7 massacre,” Prime Minister Benajamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, at a hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
He added: “The Land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel, and even President Macron’s declaration will not change that.” Levin called for Israel to apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, calling it “a just and historic response to the shameful decision by the President of France.”
