France Weighs Tougher Stance on Israel as Macron, Lula Slam Gaza War
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – French President Emmanuel Macron signaled Thursday that France may take concrete action against Israel in response to the ongoing war in Gaza, warning that a decision will be made “in the coming days” regarding a possible shift in policy.
Speaking at the Élysée Palace alongside visiting Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Macron said France is considering whether to “toughen the tone and take concrete measures” if the humanitarian situation in Gaza does not improve. The statement marks a significant escalation in rhetoric from Paris amid growing European pressure over the conflict.
Lula went further, accusing Israel of committing “a premeditated genocide” in Gaza and labeling the Israeli government “far-right” and guilty of “waging a war against the interests of its own people.” He called for immediate international recognition of a Palestinian state, describing it as both a “moral and human duty.”
Brazil formally recognized a Palestinian state in 2010 and has since been an advocate of the two-state solution. The Franco-Brazilian remarks come ahead of a major diplomatic summit France is co-hosting with Saudi Arabia at the United Nations beginning June 17, where recognition of Palestinian statehood is expected to be a central topic.
Macron’s comments align with his previously stated openness to recognizing Palestinian statehood if the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains unresolved. He has described conditions in the coastal enclave as “intolerable” and urged immediate relief efforts.
However, Macron’s positioning has not only drawn criticism from Israel but also sparked unrest at home. Just days earlier, during a visit to Vietnam, Macron publicly expressed support for recognizing a Palestinian state. Within 24 hours of those remarks, large-scale riots broke out across Paris, lasting for two consecutive nights. Protesters clashed with police, torched vehicles, and vandalized property in scenes that underscored deep divisions within French society.
Israel reacted strongly to Macron’s latest remarks. A statement from Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned the French president’s language, accusing him of “leading a crusade against the Jewish state” and of “ignoring the realities on the ground while empowering terrorist actors.”
The growing diplomatic rift comes even as Israel, with U.S. support, recently launched the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a joint aid initiative that has delivered millions of meals to civilians in recent weeks. Israeli officials point to the program as evidence of their commitment to minimizing civilian suffering while continuing efforts to dismantle Hamas.
France and Saudi Arabia’s upcoming UN-hosted summit aims to push for a roadmap toward Palestinian statehood while pledging to address Israel’s security concerns. However, Israel remains deeply opposed to unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, arguing that it rewards terrorism and undermines peace negotiations.
This opposition is reflected in recent public opinion polls. A Pew Research Center survey conducted between February and March 2025 found that only 21% of Israelis believe that peaceful coexistence with a Palestinian state is possible, the lowest level recorded since Pew began polling the question in 2013. Among Jewish Israelis, the figure is even lower at 16%, while 40% of Arab Israelis express belief in a possible two-state future.
The survey also highlighted deep-seated mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians, with 75% of respondents identifying it as a major obstacle to lasting peace. Other significant concerns include the status of Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
As international efforts to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continue, the divergence between global diplomatic initiatives and Israeli public opinion presents a complex challenge for policymakers advocating for a two-state solution.
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