France's recognition of a Palestinian state has reportedly disrupted efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, according to Rubio.
In July 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would formally recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September of the same year. The move was a response to the rising global concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the stalled peace efforts in the Middle East. Macron framed this recognition as a step towards supporting a just and sustainable peace in the region, aiming to contribute to ending the war in Gaza.
This decision, however, was met with criticism from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who described it as a "reckless" decision that would only serve Hamas propaganda. Rubio's statement implied that France's recognition could potentially harm ceasefire talks and fuel Hamas's position. Israeli leaders echoed similar sentiments, condemning the move as rewarding terrorism and empowering Hamas.
Despite these criticisms, there is no direct evidence or official statement that Macron's recognition of Palestine actually impacted ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The announcement came shortly after the U.S. cut short ceasefire talks in Qatar, citing Hamas's lack of good faith. However, the search results do not report any causal link or explicit claim that Macron’s announcement disrupted ongoing ceasefire talks.
As the September UN General Assembly approached, foreign ministers of 15 countries signed a joint declaration calling for the recognition of the State of Palestine. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention to seek government support for the implementation of a full Gaza Strip annexation plan. Despite opposition from the Israel Defense Forces and several influential officials, the proposed annexation plan has not been implemented as of the time of this article.
Critics fear that this recognition could jeopardize the lives of hostages and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. On the other hand, Rubio, in an interview with Eternal Word Television Network, said, "If I were in Hamas' position, I'd think: 'Let's not stop firing, we might get rewarded, we can claim this as a victory.'" This statement suggests that Rubio believes the recognition could encourage further conflict.
However, it's important to note that the available information does not confirm a direct impact from Macron's announcement on the peace negotiations. The article does not provide details about the reasons for the opposition to Israel's plan to take control of the Gaza city, nor does it mention any specific countries that have criticized this decision.
The decision to escalate military actions in the Gaza Strip sparked harsh criticism both domestically and internationally. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community will be closely watching the developments in the Middle East, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
- The policy-and-legislation decision made by French President Emmanuel Macron to recognize the State of Palestine has garnered criticism from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who views it as a move that could encourage further conflict and potentially harm ceasefire talks.
- As the international community closely watches the developments in the Middle East, general-news reports suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed Gaza Strip annexation plan has attracted opposition due to concerns it could jeopardize the lives of hostages and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
