Israel labels Emmanuel Macron as an unwelcome figure

Israel has announced a stance of not welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron. - Israel labels Emmanuel Macron as an undesirable individual

In a significant development, French President Emmanuel Macron announced during the UN General Assembly debate at the end of September that he would officially recognize a Palestinian state. This move comes as Western countries, including Germany and Britain, express their support for the recognition of a Palestinian state as part of the so-called two-state solution.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had previously stated that Germany would take steps toward recognizing a Palestinian state administration. However, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul clarified that the recognition of a Palestinian state is rather at the end of a negotiation process. The German government, in July, stated that the recognition of a Palestinian state is not an option for them in the short term.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned France's announced step to recognize a Palestinian state, calling it a "reward for terror." This condemnation follows a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in more than 1,200 reported deaths according to Israeli reports. In response, Israel is currently conducting large-scale military operations in the Gaza Strip.

According to Hamas authorities, more than 64,000 people have been killed during Israel's response to the attack in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, 251 people were taken hostage during the attack, with 47 still being held by Hamas in the coastal strip.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized France's initiative to recognize a Palestinian state, describing it as a "reckless decision." Israel's Foreign Ministry stated that Macron can visit Israel again only if France retracts this step. As a result, French President Emmanuel Macron is currently unwanted in Israel due to the recognition of a Palestinian state announced by Paris.

The UN General Assembly debate, where the recognition of a Palestinian state will be discussed, is scheduled for the last week of September. Other nations, such as Britain and Canada, have also announced their support for the recognition of a Palestinian state. However, the exact details of the negotiation process leading to this recognition are still not specified in the article.

It is worth noting that Gideon Saar, a former Israeli politician, has been mentioned but no specific action or statement attributed to him in the given context. Western countries hope that the two-state solution will provide a lasting solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The ongoing situation serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in finding a peaceful resolution to this longstanding conflict.