US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of undermining recent efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, citing the French leader’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state as the key factor in the talks’ collapse.
In an interview with the Eternal Word Television Network, Rubio asserted that Macron’s unilateral announcement emboldened the militant group, leading to the breakdown of negotiations. He claimed that the French president’s pledge to recognize a Palestinian state, announced on X last month, marked France as the first G7 nation to formally acknowledge Palestinian statehood.
Macron’s statement came amid ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to end hostilities between Israel and Hamas. In late July, West Jerusalem withdrew its negotiators after more than two weeks of indirect talks in Qatar, citing dissatisfaction with Hamas’ response to its ceasefire proposal. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said that Hamas’ position showed a lack of desire to reach a cease-fire in Gaza, further complicating diplomatic efforts.
The move by France and subsequently by the UK and Canada has drawn criticism from the US and Israel, who argue that such recognition undermines peace processes. Critics, including Rubio, contend that the unilateral recognition by European nations has sent mixed signals to both sides and hindered the prospects of a sustainable ceasefire.