Let France create Palestinian State in French Riviera: Huckabee
3 Min Read
France's move to recognize a Palestinian state has draws sharp criticism from US Ambassador to "Israel" Mike Huckabee, and escalated diplomatic friction as the EU switches its stance on "Israel".
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Former Arkansas Gov. and current US Ambassador to "Israel" Mike Huckabee gestures at a campaign event at the Drexelbrook Catering & Event Center, October 29, 2024, in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. (AP)
US Ambassador to "Israel" Mike Huckabee has strongly criticized France's push for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, labeling the efforts as "revolting", in a Sunday interview with Fox News.
“It’s incredibly inappropriate in the midst of a war that Israel is dealing with to go out and present something that I think increasingly Israelis are steadfast against,” Huckabee stated, adding that "If France is really so determined to see a Palestinian state, I have a suggestion for them – carve out a piece of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state."
The Ambassador stated that Washington would not participate in an upcoming conference in New York, led by France and Saudi Arabia, which aims to advance the establishment of a Palestinian state later this month.
Israeli officials have been clashing with French President Macron after his announcement earlier this month that France is set to recognize a Palestinian state within the coming months, where he said, "We must move toward recognition, and we will do so in the coming months."
France clashes with 'Israel' over Gaza
French President Emmanuel Macron warned on May 31 that France could take a more aggressive position toward "Israel" if it continues blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, a remark that led "Israel" to accuse him of conducting what they called a "crusade against the Jewish state."
“The humanitarian blockade is creating a situation that is untenable on the ground,” Macron said at a joint press conference with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
“And so, if there is no response that meets the humanitarian situation in the coming hours and days, obviously, we will have to toughen our collective position,” Macron noted, emphasizing that France might consider imposing sanctions against Israeli settlers.
The French President stated that European countries should strengthen their unified stance against "Israel" if it fails to adequately respond to the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, suggesting the potential consideration of sanctions as part of their approach.
Macron's push for recognition comes amid a broader shift in European policy towards "Israel", as the humanitarian crisis reaches catastrophic levels in the Strip.
Tensions between "Israel" and the European Union have risen after the European Commission initiated a formal review of the EU-"Israel" association agreement, driven by growing alarm over the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, with a senior EU diplomat informing Al-Monitor on May 28 that this step could result in a partial suspension of cooperation with "Israel" in the near future.
On May 20, UK Foreign Minister David Lammy revealed that the United Kingdom has suspended negotiations on a free trade agreement with "Israel", while also introducing fresh sanctions targeting West Bank settlers, following the Israeli military's ground invasion of Gaza.
