PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron's recent decision to recognize a Palestinian state has sparked anger from Israel and the United States. This move has reinvigorated discussions around a two-state solution amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron emphasized that the desire for a Palestinian state is rooted in the belief that lasting peace is crucial for Israel's security. He stated, "Our determination to see the Palestinian people have their own state is rooted in our conviction that lasting peace is essential to the security of the state of Israel."

Macron's diplomatic efforts are driven by outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which he described as having no justification. The situation has escalated, with Israel declaring Gaza's largest city a combat zone. The death toll has reportedly exceeded 63,000 Palestinians since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on Israel.

Several Western nations, including France, the U.K., Canada, Australia, and Malta, plan to formalize their recognition of a Palestinian state during the upcoming U.N. General Assembly, starting September 23. Other countries, such as New Zealand, Finland, and Portugal, are also considering similar actions. However, Netanyahu has rejected the notion of Palestinian statehood and intends to intensify military operations in Gaza.

In response to Macron's letter, Netanyahu accused him of exacerbating antisemitism with his call for Palestinian statehood, a claim that Macron labeled as "abject." U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner echoed these sentiments, arguing that recognizing a Palestinian state could embolden extremists and jeopardize Jewish safety in France. Kushner was summoned by the French foreign ministry following his remarks.

Geopolitics expert Pascal Boniface noted that the reactions highlight the significance of symbolic gestures in international relations. He remarked, "There is some kind of race against time between the diplomatic path, with the two-state solution back at the heart of the debate, and the situation on the ground in Gaza, which is every day making this two-state solution a little more complicated or impossible."

Calls for Israel to halt its offensive in Gaza have been made by Macron and other international leaders. The ongoing military actions have led to widespread displacement among Gaza's over 2 million residents, with neighborhoods in ruins and a famine declared in Gaza City. Macron warned that the occupation and forced displacement of Palestinians would not lead to victory for Israel but would instead isolate the country and fuel antisemitism.

Currently, more than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state, although this recognition is largely symbolic. Muhammad Shehada, a political analyst from Gaza, stated, "The world will be the same the day after," but acknowledged that it adds diplomatic pressure on Israel. He argued that the support from major Western nations for a two-state solution undermines Netanyahu's narrative that mass population transfer is the only solution to the Palestinian issue.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot highlighted that recent diplomatic efforts have led to a significant condemnation of Hamas's attacks on civilians by all 22 members of the Arab League. In a July conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, Arab League nations agreed that Hamas should relinquish control of Gaza and disarm.

Shehada believes that these developments could strengthen moderate Palestinian factions by showing that the Palestinian Authority is gaining influence in negotiations. He suggested that this could weaken Hamas's more violent leadership by providing Palestinians with a diplomatic alternative to violence. The Palestinian Authority aims to establish an independent state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, territories captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war. However, the Authority remains unpopular among Palestinians, who view it as corrupt and ineffective.