“We Are Committed to Recognizing Palestine as a State” – France Condemns Israeli Violence as Gaza Turns into a Death Trap

“We Are Committed to Recognizing Palestine as a State” – France Condemns Israeli Violence as Gaza Turns into a Death Trap

France is “committed” to recognizing the State of Palestine, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Tuesday, as he condemned the “intolerable” conditions created in Gaza by Israeli military operations and a humanitarian blockade.

Barrot confirmed that France supports a Dutch-led initiative calling for a reassessment of the existing cooperation agreement between the European Union and Israel — a move that could have political and economic consequences.

French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated that France is considering the recognition of the Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations summit in June.

Speaking to France Inter radio, Barrot said, “We cannot leave a legacy of hatred and violence for the children of Gaza. Therefore, this situation must come to an end, and that is why we are committed to recognizing the Palestinian state.”

He added, “I am actively working on this because we want to contribute to a political solution — one that serves the interests of the Palestinians, but also the security of Israel.”

Barrot made these comments as President Macron joined UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a joint statement that angered Israel.

The statement declared, “We will not remain silent.” It warned of “harsher measures” if Israel continues to block humanitarian aid, and emphasized, “We are committed to recognizing the Palestinian state.”

When asked what these “harsher measures” could include, Barrot said the EU should consider the Dutch proposal and specifically investigate whether Israel has violated its human rights commitments.

He noted that this “raises the possibility of suspending the agreement,” which would affect both political and commercial relations.

However, Barrot cautioned, “Neither Israel nor the European Union wants to terminate this agreement.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after more than two months of a full blockade, has allowed limited humanitarian aid to enter — though Gaza is currently suffering a severe humanitarian crisis.

Barrot emphasized, “This aid is completely insufficient.”

Regarding Gaza, he stated, “The situation is utterly intolerable. Due to the blind violence of the Israeli government and the halting of humanitarian aid, Gaza has now become a death trap — if not a mass grave.”

Issuing a warning to Israel, he said, “When you sow violence, you reap violence.”

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, since Israel resumed bombing on March 18, at least 3,340 people have been killed, bringing the total death toll since the beginning of the war to 53,486.