France claims its recognition of Palestine ‘goes against’ Hamas stance

By AFP 25 July 2025, 11:12 am

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France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, in Kyiv, on July 21, 2025. (Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP)

France says that its plan to formally recognize a Palestinian state runs counter to the stance held by Hamas.

“Hamas has always ruled out a two-state solution. By recognizing Palestine, France goes against that terrorist organization,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot writes on X, a day after President Emmanuel Macron says France will recognize Palestinian statehood in September.

Hamas welcomed the president’s announcement, calling it “a positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people.” Israel said that the move “rewards terror,” while the US called it “reckless.”

But Barrot says in his X message that France, with its decision, is “backing the side of peace against the side of war.”