French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to recognise the Palestinian state has created a rift in the country’s politics, with French Muslims and Jewish communities warning it could deepen divisions.
The ongoing war in Gaza has seen the two communities avoiding each other on both public and private platforms. French Muslims have praised Macron’s decision, while Jewish communities have expressed dissatisfaction over the move.
The vice president of the Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions (CRIF) said, “The two sides hardly speak anymore. Each side is aware that if they do, each will declare it is the victim.”
Macron has taken a sharp U-turn from his previously stated policy on the Palestine-Israel conflict, which included the release of captives, the disarmament of Hamas, and the demilitarisation of Gaza.
The recent announcement has taken many by surprise, with some pro-Israel nations expressing their disappointment over Macron's decision.
However, the French president’s move has won him widespread praise from the ruling left and Muslim leaders.
“Macron's decision has been received with great satisfaction and joy,” said Abdallah Zekri, vice president of the French Council of the Muslim Faith. “We hope it will translate into reality in September, without any preconditions.”
According to reports, Macron has been deeply shaken by the mass scale of deaths, ongoing starvation and worsening crisis in Gaza, which is why the French president has defied expectations by announcing recognition of the Palestinian state.
The conflict in Gaza has killed more than 62,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in the enclave, and many continue to suffer from widespread famine.
In June, France shut down several Israeli weapons stands at the Paris Air Show for refusing to remove attack arms from their display, sparking Israeli fury.
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