French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Hamas as a force of “abject cruelty” while doubling down on his controversial pledge to recognize a Palestinian state — a move Israel warns will “reward terror” in the wake of the October 7 massacre.
Paris / Jerusalem — French President Emmanuel Macron is walking a razor’s edge between outrage at Hamas’ brutality and his political push for Palestinian statehood recognition.
In a blistering post on X Sunday, Macron reacted to the release of chilling hostage videos by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, showing Israeli captives in severe physical decline after nearly two years in captivity.
“Abject cruelty, limitless inhumanity — this is what Hamas embodies,” Macron wrote. “The unbearable images released this morning… remind us of this with horror.”
He named Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, both shown in recent propaganda videos, pledging France’s “absolute priority” remains their unconditional release along with all hostages still held in Gaza.
🇫🇷 Macron’s Balancing Act
While blasting Hamas for its “hellish cruelty”, Macron insisted that an immediate ceasefire, massive humanitarian aid delivery, and a political pathway are essential to ending the cycle of violence.
“This will not be enough: the solution is that of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace,” Macron declared, stressing that Hamas must be fully demilitarized, excluded from governance, and that any Palestinian state must recognize Israel.
His vow to officially recognize “the State of Palestine” at the United Nations in September has provoked a political firestorm, with critics saying Macron is effectively rewarding terrorism while Hamas remains entrenched in Gaza.
🇮🇱 Israel: “You’re Rewarding Terror”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasted no time slamming Macron’s announcement:
“We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision… Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became,” Netanyahu said. “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.”
Israel insists the Palestinian leadership does not seek coexistence but rather the replacement of Israel entirely.
🔫 Macron’s Arms Embargo Push
Macron has already angered Israel by twice calling for an arms embargo against Jerusalem, urging Western allies to halt weapons exports to prevent their use in Gaza and Lebanon against Hamas and Hezbollah.
The move has further strained Paris–Jerusalem relations, with Israel warning that Macron’s stance risks emboldening Iran’s regional proxies and undermining the war on terror.
⚠️ A Diplomatic Gamble
With September’s UN recognition showdown looming, Macron is betting that symbolic recognition of Palestine, coupled with a firm anti-Hamas stance, can pave the way for a “post‑Hamas political solution.”
But in Jerusalem, the message is clear: France’s recognition plan is viewed as a dangerous gamble that risks repeating the Gaza mistake — only on a national scale.
