US-France rift widens over Palestinian statehood recognition
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French President Emmanuel Macron’s push to recognize Palestine deepens divisions with Washington as Gaza ceasefire negotiations stall.
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France's President Emmanuel Macron speaks as President Donald Trump, right, listens during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, foreground left, and European leaders in the East Room of the White House, Monday, August 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington has grown increasingly disgruntled with France over the latter's commitment to recognise the State of Palestine. The dispute erupted after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would move forward with recognizing Palestine as a state. The decision came during a decisive time in ceasefire negotiations, prompting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to accuse Paris of undermining the ceasefire talks.
The United States strongly rejects @EmmanuelMacron’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the @UN general assembly.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 25, 2025
This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.
The French government quickly dismissed Rubio’s claim that recognition of Palestinian statehood had derailed negotiations. On social media, officials wrote: “No, @SecRubio, the recognition of the State of Palestine did not cause the breakdown of hostage negotiations.”
Paris emphasized that Macron’s announcement came only after US special envoy Steve Witkoff had publicly declared that Hamas was not engaging “in good faith” and that Washington was now considering “alternative options.” According to France, this sequence of events proves that recognition did not trigger the collapse of discussions.
Rubio, however, remained firm. “The minute — the day — that the French announced the thing they did, that day, Hamas walked away from the negotiating table,” he said, accusing Paris of ignoring US warnings.
Macron’s push for recognition
Macron framed his July 24 announcement as part of France’s historic commitment to a “just and sustainable peace” in West Asia. The recognition, he added, would formally take effect at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in late September.
France’s move sparked momentum among other countries. Canada, Australia, and several others signaled they would also extend recognition during the same UN gathering. Britain expressed support in principle but said its decision would depend on certain conditions being met.
Nearly 150 nations worldwide already recognize Palestine. Yet, full membership at the United Nations requires Security Council approval, where the US has repeatedly exercised its veto.
A warning over Greenland
France has also voiced concerns on wider global issues. During a visit to Greenland, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned of the growing “brutalization of the world,” citing coercion, intimidation, and blackmail as tools of power politics.
He added, “From this point of view … Greenland is not up for grabs. Greenland is not for sale,” in clear criticism of US President Donald Trump’s repeated interest in acquiring the territory.
Israeli, US opposition
“Israel” and the US have taken a hard line since July, rejecting a temporary ceasefire deal that would have included the release of about half of the 20 captives believed alive. Instead, both insist on the release of all captives and Hamas disarmament.
Hamas responded that it was prepared to free the captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a proposal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entirely rejected.
In a pointed exchange of letters, Netanyahu accused Macron of “weakness” and alleged French policies were fueling antisemitism. Macron countered by urging an end to what he called a “murderous and illegal permanent war in Gaza,” warning that such a strategy trapped “Israel” in a deadlock.
Growing international divide
France has also joined Saudi Arabia in pushing for an international conference on Palestinian statehood. The US dismissed the initiative as a “publicity stunt” and refused to attend the first meeting in July. A second round is scheduled for the upcoming UN session.
Meanwhile, Washington has increased pressure on the Palestinian Authority, announcing that visas for President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials were being revoked ahead of the assembly.
At a press conference in Ecuador, Rubio renewed his criticism, warning that recognition efforts were “fake” and would “create really big problems.”
