Israel has harshly criticized France for officially recognizing Palestine as a country. The Israeli government says this step is risky, could damage peace efforts, and may even encourage terrorism.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not hold back. He posted a strong message on his official X (Twitter) account, targeting French President Emmanuel Macron for making the announcement. Netanyahu believes France is making a big mistake that could change how Europe handles the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In his message, Netanyahu said that recognizing Palestine after the October 7 attacks is like rewarding terrorists. He warned that it could lead to another situation like Gaza—where militants took control and caused major problems for Israel.

He also argued that a Palestinian state created under the current conditions would not live peacefully beside Israel. Instead, it could be used as a base to try to destroy Israel. Netanyahu claimed that Palestinian leaders don’t want to live side-by-side with Israel, but want to replace it entirely.

President Macron, on the other hand, announced via his X account that France will present its position to the United Nations General Assembly in September. He said this decision reflects France’s history of supporting peace in the Middle East.

According to Macron, recognizing Palestine is part of a wider effort to fix the deep humanitarian and political crisis in Gaza. He called for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages, and massive humanitarian help for Gaza residents.

He added that Hamas must be disarmed and Gaza must be rebuilt in a peaceful and secure way.

France now joins more than 146 countries—including many in Africa, Asia, and Latin America—that officially recognize Palestine as a state.

However, major world powers like the United States still haven’t followed that path. In April 2024, the U.S. blocked a UN Security Council resolution that would have allowed a vote on giving Palestine full membership at the United Nations.

Experts believe France’s new position could put pressure on its relationship with the United States. The U.S. says Palestine should only be recognized after direct talks with Israel—not by making decisions on its own.

Meanwhile, Israel stands firm. It says any move to recognize a Palestinian state must come with solid promises to protect Israel’s security and recognize its right to exist.

Netanyahu’s statement made it very clear—Israel sees France’s decision as not only a bad idea but also one that could bring more danger to the region.