France vows to progress toward 'two-state solution' soon, French President Macron says after phone call with PA President Abbas

France could recognize a Palestinian state in the coming months, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed after a phone call with the Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas.

Macron’s statement in a post on 𝕏 echoed a similar remark he made last week, which drew sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his firebrand son, Yair.

According to the PA-run WAFA News Agency, Abbas emphasized the “urgent need for a ceasefire and the swift delivery of humanitarian aid” to Gaza as well as his “firm rejection” of any relocation of Gazans.

In addition, Abbas and Macron discussed plans for the PA to assume control over the Gaza Strip after the war, the goal being “international legitimacy, one system, one law, and one legitimate source of arms.”

In a Hebrew-language post on his official 𝕏 account, Macron wrote, “France is mobilizing all its forces to achieve the release of all hostages, to renew a stable ceasefire, and to ensure immediate access of humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

“It is essential to build a framework for the day after: Disarm Hamas and remove it from the scene, establish a credible government, and reform the Palestinian Authority. These steps will enable, within the framework of the June conference, progress towards a two-state political solution, for the peace and security of all.”

This came after similar comments Macron made during a France 5 broadcast on Wednesday, in which he suggested that France could recognize a “Palestinian state” at an upcoming UN conference in June, to prompt reciprocal recognition of Israel by Arab nations.

“We need to move towards recognition (of a Palestinian state). And so over the next few months, we will. I'm not doing it to please anyone. I'll do it because at some point it will be right,” Macron stated.

“And because I also want to take part in a collective dynamic that should also enable those who defend Palestine to recognize Israel in their turn, something that many of them are not doing.”

France does not currently recognize a Palestinian state, although approximately 150 nations already do, including several European countries.

In another post on 𝕏, Macron reiterated, “I support the legitimate right of Palestinians to a state and to peace, just as I support the right of Israelis to live in peace and security, both recognized by their neighbors. The upcoming conference on the two-state solution this June must be a turning point.”

Screw you! Yes to independence of New Caledonia! Yes to independence to French Polynesia! Yes to independence of Corsica! Yes to independence of the Basque Country! Yes to independence of French Guinea! Stop the neo imperialism of France in west Africa! https://t.co/Vwa3a8fN2c

— Yair Netanyahu🇮🇱 (@YairNetanyahu) April 12, 2025

These comments drew sharp criticism from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and later, by Yair Netanyahu, the younger son of the premier who lives in Miami and is known for controversial statements on social media.

“Screw you! Yes to independence of New Caledonia! Yes to independence to French Polynesia! Yes to independence of Corsica! Yes to independence of the Basque Country! Yes to independence of French Guinea! Stop the neo imperialism of France in west Africa,” Yair replied.

The prime minister later clarified that while the “style” of his son’s response was unacceptable, President Macron was “gravely mistaken when he continues to promote the idea of ​​a Palestinian state in the heart of our country.”

A "unilateral recognition" of a fictional Palestinian state, by any country, in the reality that we all know, will be a prize for terror and a boost for Hamas.
These kind of actions will not bring peace, security and stability in our region closer - but the opposite: they only…

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) April 9, 2025

The sole ambition of such a state would be “the destruction of the State of Israel,” Netanyahu wrote on 𝕏.

“Until this moment, no Hamas or PA official has condemned the atrocities of the worst massacre committed against Jews since the Holocaust, which indicates their true attitude towards the Jewish state.”

Throughout the war, Netanyahu has consistently rejected calls to transfer power over Gaza to the PA after Hamas is dismantled. “Gaza will be neither Hamastan nor Fatahstan,” Netanyahu has stated.

Summing up his response to Macron, Netanyahu wrote, “We will not jeopardize our existence because of illusions disconnected from reality, and we will not accept moral sermons for the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger the existence of Israel, from those who oppose granting independence to Corsica, New Caledonia, French Guinea, and other territories, whose independence would not endanger France in any way.”