In this article:
- Macron’s decision is a betrayal of the Jewish people after October 7th.
- Why Keir Starmer is wrong to say Palestinian state is an ‘inalienable right’.
- Sadiq Khan uses latest wave of propaganda against Israel to justify his calls for an ideological conviction.
- Macron has opened wide new problems for France. Those in France who call for intifada against Israel will not stop at only recognising a Palestinian state.
French President Emmanuel Macron is on the brink of leading France into betraying Israel by recognising a Palestinian state.
Macron announced on Thursday that he will make the “solemn announcement” at the UN when nations convene in September for the General Assembly.
On the same day, Prime Minister Starmer issued a statement that stopped short of recognising a Palestinian state but did call for a ‘two-state solution’ in an emotionally charged rebuke of Israel.
It’s not France’s land to give away
France will become the first major Western nation to recognise a Palestinian state – Spain and Ireland have already done so. The move by France could give the UK the confidence to follow. Quite frankly, the Land of Israel doesn’t belong to France, or any other country, to give away.
Germany, on the other hand, has stated that it has no current plans to recognise a Palestinian state. It hasn’t ruled out supporting a ‘two-state solution’ in the long-term, but says “Israel’s security is of paramount importance to the German government.”
Macron’s decision puts France on the wrong side of history and on the wrong side of God, who promises judgement on those who divide the Land of Israel (Joel 3:2) and a curse on those who curse Israel (Genesis 12:3).
An emotional reaction to a political question
The basis of this unilateral recognition by France is deeply troubling. It comes amid an escalation in the propaganda efforts against Israel, which is being accused of starving the Palestinians – a ‘blood libel’ that can be refuted by understanding the truth. We debunk the slurs surrounding aid to Gazans here. False accusations aimed at demonising Israel certainly should not be the reason for recognising a Palestinian state.
Keir Starmer is under pressure from many of his own MPs to follow France’s lead. In a statement on Thursday evening, Starmer condemned “unspeakable and indefensible” conditions in Gaza, adding that statehood was an “inalienable right”. He reiterated his call for a ceasefire in the conflict, saying this would “put us on a path” towards recognising a Palestinian state.
No, Prime Minister. It is not an “inalienable right.” Who has awarded that right? Paris? On whose authority are you able to give the right for Israel’s land to be divided? On what condition do the Palestinians have this right? Is it at the expense of the right for Jews to be able to live safely and securely in their homeland? Is it on condition that Palestinian leadership recognises the State of Israel? Is it on condition that Palestinian terrorists put down their arms indefinitely? These are questions that are not being asked.
An interfering mayor
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, had a similar tone in his demand for a Palestinian state, again basing his reason on the “actions of the Israeli Government.” Again, he is using a highly charged, momentary wave of propaganda against Israel to justify his calls for an ideological conviction.
He said, “In heartbreaking scenes, innocent lives are being torn apart before the eyes of the world. The international community – including our own Government – must do far more to pressure the Israeli Government to stop this horrific, senseless killing and let vital life-saving aid in. Nothing justifies the actions of the Israeli Government. The UK must immediately recognise Palestinian statehood. There can be no two-state solution if there is no viable state left to call Palestine.”
However, Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel was quick to shut down the London Mayor’s intervention in Britain’s foreign policy, saying, “He should spend less time trying to play on the world stage, where his Labour Government has already undermined Britain’s standing significantly, and focus on fixing his own mess in the capital.”
Hamas does not want peace
A lack of peace is also not a justification for supporting a Palestinian state. Macron’s announcement comes at a time when Israel has accepted terms of a ceasefire, but Hamas has refused. There are still 50 hostages held captive in Gaza by Hamas. Whilst Starmer called for their release in his statement, giving Palestinian terrorists what they want does nothing to pressure them for the release of those they hold hostage.
Macron’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state also rewards terrorism. Supporters of a Palestinian state will not admit to this. But if the outcome of October 7th is recognition of a Palestinian state, then the West, led by France, will have committed a grave error of moral judgement and betrayed the Jewish people, whose right it is to live safely and securely in their sovereign homeland. Where does this position Israel’s future guarantee of October 7th not being repeated? Macron might claim to recognise a Palestinian state, but where is it exactly? Does he mean Gaza? Does he mean the so-called West Bank (Judea and Samaria)? Does he mean east Jerusalem? Such geographic vagueness only adds to the anti-Israel cause that a Jewish state should not exist from the ‘river to the sea’ – the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. In other words, there is a real danger that Palestinian recognition will only embolden Palestinian terrorists in Gaza and the West Bank, and their supporters who call for Israel’s destruction on the streets of Paris and London.
A betrayal of the Jewish people
An adviser to President Macron, Ofer Bronchtein, made a telling statement this week, claiming that October 7th would not have happened if there had been a Palestinian state.
“It angers me that people say we encourage terror,” he says, noting that the Hamas attack happened even without a Palestinian state, and adding: “Perhaps because there was no Palestinian state, October 7 happened.”
“Had there been Palestinian sovereignty in Gaza on October 7 [2023]… October 7 wouldn’t have happened. Sovereignty is responsibility,” he says.
Such a comment is outrageous – it gives a free pass to jihadists. What kind of message does this send Hamas supporters in France and around the world? Furthermore, it disturbingly places blame on Israel and the Jewish people, who were victims of October 7th. It also shows an ignorance of the nature of Palestinian terrorism, which is not solely about territory – it is deeply rooted in a hatred for Jews, the desire to wipe Israel off the map, and to conquer Jerusalem, something that Palestinian terrorists are keen to remind us of.
A problem for France
Macron’s decision doesn’t change the situation on the ground for Israel, as no Palestinian state can unilaterally be established without Israel’s agreement. However, it might change the situation on the ground in France, for the worse.
Macron has spectacularly capitulated to the anti-Israel movement in France. But their calls do not stop with demands for a Palestinian state. Those who call for intifada and the elimination of Israel ‘from the river to the sea’ will be empowered. France already has its problems with radical Islam. Appeasing those who hate Israel will not help this.
France could also face repercussions from Israel. According to reports, Israeli authorities warned they could scale back intelligence cooperation with France. Between 2016 and 2019, Israeli intelligence foiled more than 50 terror plots on European soil. Whilst the data doesn’t give specific details, one known attack was foiled in Paris in 2018, where British MPs were the target of an imminent attack carried out by the Iranian regime. France and Israel have maintained a long-standing defence and intelligence relationship, including coordination on counterterrorism. A cut-off would mark a serious break in bilateral trust.
We must act
France has capitulated, but we must not allow the UK to do the same. CUFI is calling upon supporters to sign a petition with the option to also write to their MP.
Recognising a Palestinian state would reward terrorism, embolden extremists, undermine Israel’s security, and stand in direct opposition to the Word of God. Dividing the land of Israel is the gravest mistake our government can make. Sadly, it seems time is running out and we must make every effort to stop this. The Foreign Office, the Foreign Secretary, and the Prime Minister must hear the message from Christians: there must never be a Palestinian state on Israel’s land. Not now, not ever.
