“France Defies Trump”: Global Press Divided on Palestinian State Recognition
UNITED NATIONS – A wave of international reactions, ranging from cautious balance to outright condemnation, followed recent moves toward recognizing a Palestinian state, highlighted by France’s decision at the United Nations despite pressure from Israel. The shift underscores a growing divergence in Western policy and a challenge to the longstanding U.S. position, with Donald Trump asserting recognition would be ”a gift to Hamas.”
The international response reveals a complex geopolitical landscape. French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech was described as “Perfectly balanced” by El País, carefully navigating ”Continuous allusions to Israel but also the exhortations to end its military operations in the Gaza Strip.” This contrasts sharply with the stance of Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, echoing Trump’s sentiment, as reported by La Repubblica. Meanwhile,Germany faces criticism for chancellor Olaf Scholz’s absence from New York during the discussions,a move Der Spiegel frames as highlighting “the growing isolation of Germany on the international scene concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
The Wall Street Journal offered a critical assessment of Macron’s initiative, characterizing it as a demonstration of “Boxer penchant beyond its category in a region where the influence of france has decreased.” Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reiterated his country’s position that recognition should only occur at the conclusion of a two-state solution “process.” Der Spiegel further fueled the debate within Germany, posing the question: “Should Germany recognize Palestine as a state?”
