France Considers Opening an Embassy in Palestine

Translation by SadaNews: France is considering opening an embassy in the Palestinian Authority following its recognition of the State of Palestine next month, according to what Macron's Middle East advisor, Ofer Bronstein, stated to Channel 12 on Thursday.

According to Channel 12's report, as translated by SadaNews: "If this step succeeds, it will be an important diplomatic move that solidifies France's recognition of the State of Palestine. If the embassy opens, it is likely to be located in Ramallah."

According to Bronstein, opening a Palestinian embassy in Paris and a French embassy in Palestinian territories are necessary steps in light of the recognition of the Palestinian state.

Macron’s advisor told the Hebrew channel: "The establishment of a stable Palestinian state is in Israel’s interest, and the events of October 7 would not have happened if there were a Palestinian state, as the stability this state would have provided would have prevented the catastrophe." Bronstein also pointed to the security cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

The French move comes against a backdrop of intense rising tensions between Paris and Tel Aviv in recent weeks. These tensions peaked with the exchange of sharp public messages between French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which included mutual accusations.

Bronstein said: "The war must end and the hostages must return home," adding: "There are positive things happening in the region, but the war will not allow for normalization between Israel and other countries. We seek to prevent Israel from entering the city of Gaza and worsening the situation. There is no security or military justification for that, and this is not the best way to release the hostages." The French advisor added that Israel will face "strong opposition" from the international community, but Paris hopes to "avoid sanctions."

Channel 12 quoted Yael German, the Israeli ambassador to France and a former minister in the "Yesh Atid" party, and Dr. Miriam Rossman, an expert in Israeli-French relations and a member of the Deborah Forum, stating that establishing a French embassy in the Palestinian Authority is an important political step that will lead to severe consequences. German stated: "It will be a very significant step, and perhaps a pretext for the return of the Israeli ambassador to France. Netanyahu will not tolerate it and will consider it an aggressive step."

She added: "This is embarrassing for us. We are well aware of the current government's position in Israel. As long as the current government strongly opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state and sees it as a reward for Hamas, it feels like a stab in the stomach." Rossman describes the potential consequences of this, saying: "This is a step that breaks the political rules. We have already crossed several red lines in this relationship between Israel and France. This is a step that enhances recognition of a Palestinian state."

According to Rossman, "France's recognition of the Palestinian state causes a deterioration in relations between Tel Aviv and Paris, and the degradation of relations between the two countries has not stopped since October 7 until now." She clarified that there is already a French consulate in Jerusalem, which provides services to the Palestinian population.

The Hebrew report states: "This consulate is in the crosshairs of Israel, and there are many demands to close it. According to reports, one of the steps that Israel might take after France's recognition of a Palestinian state is to close the consulate in Jerusalem."