Recognition of Palestine: The Left Celebrates a “Victory”, the Right Reluctant

UNITED NATIONS: Emmanuel Macron announced Monday evening that France now recognizes Palestine as a state

Left-wing parties celebrated Monday “a victory” and the hope of a quicker end to the war Gaza after the announcement by the president Emmanuel Macron of France’s recognition of the State of Palestine, while the right has reiterated its reluctance.

“A victory, late, but a victory nonetheless. France must now act for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and put an end to the massacres, persecutions and occupation. We must stop Netanyahu ! “, Fabien Roussel, the national secretary of the Communist Party, long committed to the Palestinians, said on the X network, recalling the objective of a “two-state solution”. The leader of the France insoumise (LFI) Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who has made support for Gaza one of his priorities, also welcomed “an irreversible victory in the popular fight for the right of a people to self-determination”, despite explanations according to him “confused” by the Head of State who spoke Monday evening at the UN.

“A better balance of power”

“The only reality is that France and ten other nations more recognize the State of Palestine”, he said, judging that the recognition of the Palestinian State by other countries including the Britain, the Canada or Australia creates “a better balance of power to obtain an end to crimes and genocide in Gaza” by means of sanctions against Israel which are in its eyes “the logical continuation”.

Better disposed towards the President of the Republic, the first secretary of the Socialist Party Olivier Faure was content to welcome the diplomatic gesture: For some too late, for others always too early. For me, simply thank you for doing it today on behalf of France. The PS also celebrated “a historic day, when France honors itself by recognizing the State of Palestine”.

Conditions not met according to the right

On the right and at the National Rally, the gesture made by Emmanuel Macron aroused reservations, even total opposition. “It’s Emmanuel Macron’s choice, not mine. But my conviction is that we can only recognize a Palestinian state with the conditions met”, declared the Minister of the Interior and President of the Republicans (LR) Bruno Retailleau on LCI, a few minutes before the head of state speaks at the UN.

“Peace requires the recognition of two States […] as France has supported for more than 40 years. But it cannot happen without clear conditions”, said former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, also LR. “Recognizing a Palestinian state unconditionally is not moving towards peace. This is to offer a victory to Hamas, the terrorist organization of October 7”, judged President LR of Hauts-de-France Xavier Bertrand earlier in the day.

Same accusation of playing into the hands of the Palestinian Islamist movement on the RN side. “It is Hammas that Emmanuel Macron recognizes today, not Palestine. This is an extremely serious mistake, particularly against nations fighting against Islamic terrorism “, accused party leader Marine Le Pen on Monday morning.