Watan-Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that Paris may recognize the State of Palestine in June, calling it a “reward for terrorism.”
Posting on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening, Sa’ar said, “Any unilateral recognition of a fictitious Palestinian state by any country, in the reality we all know, would be a reward for terrorism and a boost to Hamas.” He added, “Such actions will not bring peace, security, or stability to our region.”
France’s potential recognition of a Palestinian state reflects growing frustration among European nations with the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and the lack of meaningful progress toward a two-state solution. France joins a chorus of European countries, including Spain, Ireland, and Norway, that are considering similar steps amid the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
The move has sparked sharp criticism from Israel, which claims such recognition could legitimize Hamas and undermine its war efforts. However, international legal scholars and human rights organizations argue that acknowledging Palestinian statehood is a legitimate step toward restoring Palestinian rights and deterring ongoing violations.
Israel’s War Crimes in Gaza
While Israeli officials criticize diplomatic moves such as France’s potential recognition of Palestine, Israel itself faces growing accusations of war crimes in Gaza. Since the start of its military campaign in October 2023, Israel has killed over 35,000 Palestinians—most of them women and children—and displaced nearly 90% of the population.
Documented war crimes include:
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Targeting of civilian infrastructure: Hospitals, schools, and shelters have been repeatedly bombed despite being protected under international law.
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Indiscriminate bombing: Entire residential blocks have been flattened with no apparent military targets.
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Siege tactics: Israel has cut off water, food, and medical supplies to the population of Gaza, actions described by UN experts as collective punishment and a violation of international humanitarian law.
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Use of banned weapons: There are credible reports of white phosphorus and other controversial munitions used in densely populated areas.
International bodies, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), are reviewing evidence of these crimes, and pressure is mounting on Western nations to halt arms sales to Israel and pursue accountability.
Despite Israeli claims that diplomatic recognition of Palestine “rewards terrorism,” many argue that continued impunity for Israel’s actions is what truly undermines peace and justice in the region.
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