Overview
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his opposition to a Palestinian state during a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, citing security concerns and terrorism risks.
- Netanyahu argued that recognizing Palestinian statehood would reward terrorism and pointed to the lack of Palestinian condemnation of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
- He warned that a Palestinian state near Israeli cities could become a base for Iranian-backed terrorism, endangering regional stability.
- French President Macron has suggested that France may recognize a Palestinian state in June, as part of efforts to promote mutual recognition between Israel and pro-Palestinian states.
- Macron emphasized the importance of a ceasefire to secure hostage releases and called for opening all humanitarian checkpoints to Gaza for aid access.