ZARKA CALLS FRANCE A ‘DESTABILISING AGENT’- Israeli Amb. says France’s recognition of Palestine is a hostile decision
France’s recognition of Palestinian statehood means Paris is becoming a “destabilising agent” in the Middle East, Israel’s ambassador to the country said on Tuesday.
President Emmanuel Macron recognised Palestinian statehood at a meeting he convened with Saudi Arabia on Monday – a stance that appeared unlikely to change much on the ground.
Israel sees the move as a “waste” of a diplomatic tool and a hostile decision, ambassador Joshua L. Zarka said.
Macron has said the decision would start a process that would lead to peace between Israel and Palestinians.
But Zarka said what was needed was for Palestinians to recognise the State of Israel’s right to exist, and that promises of reform given by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were “meaningless”.
The United States has told other countries that Palestinian recognition will create more problems, and Netanyahu has rejected numerous calls to end Israel’s campaign in Gaza until Hamas is destroyed and has said he will not recognise a Palestinian state.
