From the Liveblog of
Sunday, June 8, 2025
French source rejects claims Paris retreating from recognizing Palestinian state
Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
A French diplomatic source rejects claims that Paris is backing away from its goal of recognizing a Palestinian state, calling such suggestions “false.”
“We clearly see that some have an interest in indicating that we are not moving towards the recognition of Palestine. That is false,” says the source in a statement.
The rebuttal follows a Guardian report yesterday in which diplomatic sources downplayed the likelihood that a June 18 United Nations conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia will include a formal declaration of recognition, saying the meeting will instead focus on practical steps toward recognition.
The source speaking today points to statements by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in the French Senate three days ago, saying Barrot made clear that France is “determined to recognize the state of Palestine to create the conditions for the existence of this state.”
“In doing so, [Barrot] echoed the words of [French President Emmanuel Macron] in the joint declaration with his British and Canadian counterparts, which highlighted the important role of the high-level conference on the two-state solution at the United Nations in June,” adds the source.
“Our goal for this conference indeed goes beyond the question of recognition. It is indeed about recreating an international consensus around the two-state solution, which allows for a lasting resolution to the conflict. The recognition of the State of Palestine is consistent with France’s position in support of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians. As part of the conference… it must make a useful contribution to the dynamics of implementing the two states, based on the principles reiterated by [Macron],” concludes the statement.
Macron said on Thursday that he expects the June meeting to take steps “toward recognizing Palestine,” though he did not elaborate. A French official has also noted that any French decision on recognition “will be dealt with separately from the outcome of the June conference.”
The Times of Israel Community.