A leading German parliamentarian has voiced strong criticism regarding French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent declaration recognizing a Palestinian state. Roderich Kiesewetter, spokesperson for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group on the Foreign Affairs Committee, described the decision as a “serious strategic error” in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland network.
Kiesewetter argued that recognizing Palestine at this juncture risks rewarding violence and terrorism perpetrated by Hamas and ultimately undermines the prospects for future negotiations. He expressed concern that the move weakens both Israel and the negotiating position of Europe, allowing Hamas to achieve a desired form of recognition without reciprocal acknowledgment of Israel’s right to exist.
He further contended that Macron’s actions fail to adequately account for the hostile environment in which Israel operates, surrounded by forces intent on its destruction. According to Kiesewetter, Israel’s current military operations are necessary to protect its citizens and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure of Hamas and its Iranian proxies, representing a prerequisite for peace and stability, rather than obstructing it.
The German politician suggested Macron’s stance is driven by domestic political considerations, mirroring Hamas’s narrative and leading to international isolation of Israel, while simultaneously empowering those responsible for the conflict.
