Macron Urges Hamas Exclusion and PA Reform Amid Calls to Recognize Palestinian State

Watan-On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to “exclude” Hamas from Gaza and “reform” the Palestinian Authority, as part of what Macron described as a pathway toward a “political solution based on a two-state model”—one Israeli, one Palestinian.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) following a phone call with Abbas, Macron stated:“It is essential to build a framework for the day after [the war]: disarm Hamas and exclude it, establish a credible system of governance, and reform the Palestinian Authority.”

This conversation followed comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who harshly criticized Macron’s stance on the Palestinian issue, particularly Macron’s suggestion that France might recognize a Palestinian state in June during an upcoming conference co-hosted with Saudi Arabia at the UN headquarters in New York. Netanyahu accused Macron of making a “grave mistake” by promoting the idea of Palestinian statehood.

Macron and Abbas Reaffirm Urgent Need for Gaza Ceasefire and Two-State Solution

Meanwhile, Abbas and Macron also discussed the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA. The report noted that both leaders emphasized:

• The need to halt Israeli military aggression

• The speedy delivery of humanitarian aid

• The rejection of forced displacement of the Palestinian people

They also reaffirmed the importance of the Arab recovery and reconstruction plan in Gaza, emphasizing that such efforts must occur with Palestinians remaining on their land, and within the broader pursuit of a two-state solution rooted in international legitimacy.

During a visit to a Gaza-focused exhibition at the Arab World Institute in Paris, Macron stated:

“What we want to launch is a series of recognitions (of Palestine as a state), as well as recognition of Israel by countries that have not yet done so.”

His statements triggered outrage among the far-right and conservative circles in France, prompting him to post a clarification on X:”I support the legitimate right of Palestinians to a state and peace, just as I support the right of Israelis to live in peace and security and to be recognized as a state by their neighbors.” “I am doing everything in my power with our partners to reach that goal of peace. We desperately need it.”

Additional Context on Israeli Crimes in Gaza:

Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in catastrophic humanitarian consequences. The death toll has exceeded 167,000, with the majority being women and children. Human rights organizations, including the UN, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, have documented:

• Indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas

• Targeting of schools, hospitals, and refugee camps

• Use of banned weapons and white phosphorus

• Destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system

• Forced displacement of over 2 million Palestinians

Israel’s continued blockade on humanitarian aid, the siege of hospitals, and attacks on aid convoys have led to warnings of genocide from international legal experts, and calls for accountability at the International Criminal Court (ICC).