From the Liveblog of
Friday, July 25, 2025
Leading US Jewish groups turn down meeting with French FM over Palestine recognition
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A coalition of leading US Jewish groups turn down an invitation to meet French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot following Paris’s announcement yesterday that it would recognize a Palestinian state in September.
In a joint statement, the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, B’nai B’rith International, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, UJA-Federation of New York and World Jewish Congress say they are “deeply concerned that France’s approach undermines prospects for a mutually negotiated future for Israelis and Palestinians.”
The groups express disappointment that they “were invited to discuss a policy that appears to have already been finalized.”
They urge French President Emmanuel Macron to reconsider the decision, and commend the White House “for its clear and forceful opposition to the French proposal.”
“By taking such a unilateral step, France not only emboldens extremists, but risks the security of the Jewish people around the globe, along with alienating moderate voices and undermining the credibility of French diplomacy in the region,” the groups say.
They accuse Macron of having backtracked on “specific conditions” for recognizing Palestinian statehood, which the groups say he outlined three months ago. These conditions include “the release of hostages still held in Gaza and Hamas’s surrender,” the groups say. It is not immediately clear which statement by Macron they are referring to.
“None of these conditions have been met, contradicting the president’s prior commitments,” say the groups. “By abandoning these conditions, France rewards Hamas for its continued brutality and sends a dangerous message that legitimizes terrorism while dishonoring the victims of October 7, 2023.”
The Times of Israel Community.