Egypt Daily News – French Prime Minister François Bayrou confirmed on Tuesday that the initiative to recognize a Palestinian state—jointly undertaken by France, the United Kingdom, and Canada—”will not stop.”
Speaking before the French National Assembly, Bayrou said, “For the first time, three major countries—Britain, France, and Canada—have decided to jointly oppose what is happening in Gaza and to jointly recognize the State of Palestine.” He added, “This movement that has started will not stop.”
His remarks came in response to a question from Mathilde Panot, leader of the left-wing “France Unbowed” parliamentary group, who asked whether he intended to recognize Palestine “after there are barely any Palestinians left,” in reference to the devastation caused by Israeli military operations in Gaza.
Bayrou reiterated his support for a two-state solution and condemned the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “unacceptable.” He also acknowledged the October 7 Hamas attacks as the initial trigger of the recent escalation but emphasized that “the current situation in Gaza is not acceptable on humanitarian grounds.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot earlier confirmed that France is committed to recognizing Palestine, describing it as a move in the interest of both Palestinians and Israelis. “We cannot leave the children of Gaza with an inheritance of violence and hatred,” he said. “That’s why we must bring this to an end, and that’s why we are determined to recognize the State of Palestine.”
Barrot also indicated that France may formally announce recognition during an international conference focused on reviving the peace process, set to take place from June 17 to 20.
In a separate interview with France Inter radio, French Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel announced that his party would host a major Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) delegation on June 4, aiming to launch a broader European campaign to recognize Palestine.
France joins a growing number of countries reassessing their positions in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and its ongoing blockade, which has drawn widespread international condemnation and warnings of an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.
