French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation on Tuesday amid renewed international focus on the Gaza conflict and the future of a Palestinian state. The call came just days after Macron said France may recognise a Palestinian state within months, a remark that drew sharp criticism from Israel.
According to a statement released by Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli Prime Minister reiterated his firm opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, arguing that such a move would amount to a “huge reward for terrorism.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke today with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
During the conversation, the Prime Minister expressed fierce opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, and said that this would constitute a huge prize for terrorism.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 15, 2025
“The prime minister told the French president that a Palestinian state established just minutes away from Israeli cities would become a stronghold of Iranian terrorism, and that a vast majority of the Israeli public firmly opposes this — and this has been his consistent and long-standing policy,” read the statement.
The PM said that a Palestinian state established a few minutes away from Israeli cities would become an Iranian stronghold of terrorism; that the vast majority of the Israeli public opposes that categorically – and that this has been the PM’s consistent and longstanding policy.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 15, 2025
Macron, meanwhile, stressed the urgency of ending civilian suffering in Gaza and reiterated his call for a ceasefire. In a post on social media platform X, he wrote, “I have just spoken with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I reiterated France’s support for the security of Israel and its people. The release of all hostages has always been a top priority, as has the demilitarisation of Hamas.”
“I made my position very clear: A ceasefire is the only way to ensure the release of hostages still held by Hamas. The opening of all humanitarian aid crossings is a vital necessity for Gaza’s civilian population. I saw it in El-Arish — the aid is blocked on the other side of the border. It must reach civilians as quickly as possible. The ordeal the civilian populations of Gaza are going through must end. I hope the coming hours will lead to such a decision and the release of other hostages,” he added.
Je viens de m’entretenir avec le Premier ministre Benjamin @Netanyahu.
Je lui ai redit le soutien de la France à la sécurité d’Israël et de son peuple. La libération de tous les otages a toujours été une priorité absolue, tout comme la démilitarisation du Hamas.
J’ai exprimé…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 15, 2025
Macron further stated, “Ceasefire, release of all hostages, humanitarian aid, and finally reopening a political solution perspective — a two-state solution. It is in this context that I envision the June conference, taking into account the security interests of Israel and everyone in the region. Peace, as soon as possible.”
Macron As Calls For ‘Reforming’ Palestinian Authority, ‘Disarming & Sidelining’ Hamas
As reported by AFP, Macron on Monday said he hoped that French recognition of a Palestinian state would prompt other countries to follow suit, potentially reviving the stalled two-state solution. He made the comments while addressing an event at an Arab culture centre in Paris.
“What we want to trigger is a series of other recognitions,” Macron said, adding that France’s formal recognition of Palestine could come as early as June during a United Nations conference in New York.
The conversation also follows France’s proposal to support the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA) in governing post-war Gaza, provided it undergoes reforms and Hamas is excluded from governance. In a phone call with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron said, “It is essential to set a framework for the day after: disarm and sideline Hamas, define credible governance and reform the Palestinian Authority.”
“This should allow progress towards a two-state political solution, with a view to the peace conference in June, in the service of peace and security for all,” he added in a separate post on X.
The ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas began after the latter launched a deadly attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Hostilities resumed on 18 March following the collapse of a ceasefire, with Israel cutting off aid to the Gaza Strip since 2 March to pressure Hamas. Humanitarian access remains severely restricted, and large-scale military operations have continued in the region, resulting in mass displacement, according to multiple reports.
