On Tuesday afternoon, Emmanuel Macron received Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The two leaders jointly announced “the establishment of a joint committee to consolidate the Palestinian state” and “the start of the groundwork to formulate a political solution.” … constitution”.
Israel responded with harsh verbal violence. Macron described the French position this way: “The indispensable reforms of the Palestinian Authority are necessary, so that it can formulate and implement the constitution of a viable, democratic Palestinian state, side by side with Israel.”
With some nuances, Israel and Macron agree on a key point, which the French president emphasizes with somewhat “benevolent” caution: “It is urgent to organize presidential elections in all the Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem.”
In its very violent reaction to Abbas’s visit to Paris, Israel reminds us of basic issues that no one has completely forgotten: “Abbas is a denier of others, and he only has the support of 15% of the Palestinian population. He has been president of the Palestinian National Authority for more than twenty years, without accepting any negotiations, and refuses to hold elections.”
For their part, Abbas and Macron agree on another important fact: “We confirm this once again Hamas will not rule Gaza. You must surrender your weapons. “It could become a political party and participate, among other things, in the democratic future of the Palestinian state.”
Macron believes that one of the major emergencies, given the uncertain future of Palestine, is to organize “credible” democratic elections.
Underscoring this point, the French president issued a stark warning to Israel: “The situation in the West Bank is alarming. Settler violence and the acceleration of colonial projects are reaching new highs, threatening local and regional stability, and violating international law.
After his official reception of Abbas as head of the Palestinian state, Macron tried to present a vague, “equal-dimensional” image, insisting on Hamas’s rejection, but he also denied the Israeli government’s projects: “Total or partial annexation projects in the West Bank are a red line to which we will all respond, France and the European allies.”
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