Major blow to Israel..., Europe's most powerful nation declares support for Palestine, Netanyahu govt furious, says 'a dark stain on...'
France is now planning to officially recognize Palestine as an independent country. On Thursday, July 24, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will give full recognition to the State of Palestine. This decision has angered Israel, especially because it comes at a time when the war in Gaza has left many people starving and suffering.
Macron shared the news on the social media platform X, saying that he will formally present this decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September. He added that right now, the most urgent need is to stop the war in Gaza and protect the civilian population.
The French President also stressed the importance of peace in Gaza. He said there must be an immediate ceasefire, all hostages should be released, and Gaza's people must receive urgent humanitarian aid. He also mentioned that Hamas should be disarmed, and steps should be taken to make Gaza safe and help it rebuild.
In the long run, Macron said it's important to establish a Palestinian state that is safe, peaceful, and works towards stability in the region. He said Palestine should be demilitarized and must recognize Israel fully, so that both nations can live securely and peacefully in the Middle East. From support to criticism: Macron's changing stand
After the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron had openly supported Israel. He has also frequently spoken out against antisemitism. However, as the war in Gaza has dragged on, Macron's concern has grown. In recent months, he has started putting more pressure on Israel to stop the war and protect civilians.
France is now set to become the largest and most powerful European country to officially recognize Palestine. This is a significant move, especially since France is home to both the largest Jewish community in Europe and the largest Muslim population in Western Europe. Israel angered by France's move
Israel has strongly reacted to France's decision to recognize Palestine. Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin, who also serves as the country's Justice Minister, sharply criticized the move on Thursday. He called it 'a dark stain on French history' and said it amounts to 'direct support for terrorism.'
Levin further stated that France's 'shameful decision' signals that it's now time for Israel to fully apply its sovereignty over the West Bank, a territory Israel has occupied since 1967.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Arab nations to condemn Hamas for Palestinian statehood recognition: French official
Arab countries will for the first time condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament early next week at a United Nations ministerial event in New York, a move meant to lure more European countries to recognize Palestinian statehood, France's foreign minister said on Saturday. Hamas militants gather at the site of the handing over of the bodies of four Israeli hostages in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza on February 20, 2025(AFP/) In an exclusive interview with French weekly Le Journal du Dimanche, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot said the move was part of a long-planned initiative between France and Saudi Arabia. "For the first time, Arab countries will condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament, which will seal its definitive isolation. European countries will in turn confirm their intention to recognize the State of Palestine. Half of European countries have done so, all others are considering it," Barrot told the JDD. "The British Prime Minister has stated his intention to do so. Germany is considering it at a later stage. We will launch an appeal in New York for other countries to join us in order to set in motion an even more ambitious and demanding process that will culminate on September 21," Barrot added. On Thursday French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would formally recognize the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly on September 21, drawing condemnation from the US and Israel. Earlier on Saturday Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni called it counterproductive to recognise a Palestinian state before it is established. On Friday a German government spokesperson said there were no plans to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term. At the upcoming United Nations event on Monday and Tuesday, France and Saudi Arabia plan to lay out a proposed post-war roadmap leading to a two-state solution covering security, reconstruction and governance, which will be compatible with the Abraham Accords negotiated by U.S. President Trump, Barrot said. The French minister added that in coming weeks the European Commission would take a tougher stance on Israel and demand a stop on building of any new settlement projects in the West Bank, and also an end to militarized policing of humanitarian aid distribution. Barrot also called on fellow European countries to demand a removal of the financial blockade on the Palestinian authority so it can receive 2 billion euros he said it is owed.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
SGPC to urge UN to declare Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom day as International Human Rights Day
Amritsar: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will write a formal letter to the Un ited Nations (UN), urging it to declare the martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur as International Human Rights Day. The decision was taken following a virtual meeting of the International Sikh Advisory Board, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said. Among those who attended the meeting were Gurmeet Singh Randhawa (UK), Dr Kawaljeet Kaur (UK), Rajbir Singh (Canada), Master Mahinder Singh, Gurcharan Singh Lamba (USA), Balwant Singh Dhami, and Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh Gulshan (UK), Dhami added. He said that based on suggestions from the board members, the SGPC decided to formally approach the UNO with the proposal. A similar request will also be made to the Government of India, seeking a national holiday on Nov 25 to honour the Guru's martyrdom.
Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
US pauses visa processing at embassy in Niger, State Dept says
WASHINGTON, July 26 (Reuters) - The United States is pausing all routine visa services at U.S. embassy in Nigerien capital Niamey until further notice, according to a State Department spokesperson and an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters on Saturday. The July 25-dated cable did not provide a reason for the move but a State Department spokesperson said the pause, which would cover all immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, was in place until Washington addressed "concerns with the Government of Niger." The spokesperson did not provide further details on the reason, but said that most diplomatic and official visas were excepted from the pause. "The Trump Administration is focused on protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process," the Department spokesperson said. The diplomatic cable also instructed consular officers in other visa processing posts to apply "heightened scrutiny" when assessing non-immigrant visa applications for Nigerien nationals, whose overstay rates it said were 8 percent for visitor visas and 27 percent for student and exchange visas. Consular managers should make an effort to reduce the number of overstays by nonimmigrant visa holders in the United States, the cable said and added: "In this regard, particular vigilance is needed in adjudicating Nigerien NIV applicants." The U.S. embassy in Niamey has informed all individuals impacted, the spokesperson added. As part of his hardline stance on immigration, President Donald Trump has ordered a nationwide campaign to arrest migrants who are in the country illegally and has vowed to deport millions of people, executing raids at work sites including farms that were largely exempted from enforcement during his first term. Trump administration officials have said student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza, calling their actions a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of being pro-Hamas. Rubio in May said the number of visas he has revoked was probably in the thousands. The State Department under his leadership significantly tightened social media vetting for U.S. visa applicants. The U.S. military in September said it had completed its withdrawal from Niger, after the West African nation's ruling junta in April 2024 ordered Washington to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country. It was an embarrassing setback for Washington that followed a coup last year in the West African nation. Before the coup, Niger had been a key partner in the U.S. fight against insurgents in the Sahel region of Africa, who have killed thousands of people and displaced millions more. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
