France Considers Recognizing Palestinian State in June

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France may recognize the State of Palestine in June during a conference on Palestine that France will co-chair with Saudi Arabia in New York.

Macron emphasized that the move aims to promote mutual recognition with several international partners.

This potential recognition comes at a time of heightened diplomatic activity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Mossad Chief David Barnea to discuss ongoing American-Iranian negotiations and efforts to revive a ceasefire in Gaza.

Netanyahu had just returned from Washington before attending a court session in Tel Aviv, where he continued giving testimony in his ongoing corruption trials. The Prime Minister, who has now testified 22 times, faced fatigue during the latest hearing.

He completed his testimony on one case involving media favors and began addressing another case where he faces allegations of fraud and breach of trust for receiving gifts from wealthy businessmen.

Meanwhile, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto offered temporary shelter for Palestinians affected by the conflict in Gaza.

Domestically, Israel's political climate remains tense. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Netanyahu’s government for failing to condemn violent incidents at the Supreme Court and accused the coalition of undermining the rule of law.

As regional and internal pressures mount, France’s potential recognition of Palestine marks a significant development in international efforts to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.