What are the positions of political parties in France? – release
France has never been so close to recognizing the State of Palestine. Rather reluctant to this idea when he arrived at the Elysée in 2017, Emmanuel Macron then said « Totally ready to recognize a Palestinian state » In the spring of 2024, before estimating this Friday, May 30, that it was not « Not just (of) a moral duty, but (of) a political requirement ». The step should be taken during a conference at the UN on the subject on June 18, alongside the United Kingdom and Canada, if several conditions, such as the release of the hostages or the demilitarization of Hamas, are respected.
If the central block has been divided on the subject in recent years, several executives have recently expressed themselves in this direction in recent weeks, Like the leader of MoDem deputies, Marc Fesneau. « The parties must recognize each other: the Palestinians are entitled to a State, the Israelis are entitled to a State, the two have the right to live in security in a democratic regime », estimated the former Minister of Agriculture on TF1 on April 10.
A position which he now shares with the left, which historically militates in this sense, of France rebellious to the Socialist Party. « Finally. This gesture, torn off with a high struggle, should not remain a word. It must translate into action ”, had reacted the head of rebellious deputies, Mathilde Panot, after the statements of Emmanuel Macron in April. As of February 13, 2024, four months after the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023 of Hamas and the start of Israel’s bombing on the Gaza Strip, LFI filed a proposal for resolution in the National Assembly, calling for France to recognize the State of Palestine. A position that Jean-Luc Mélenchon has been wearing for years. In 2012, he had notably registered this recognition « By France and the EU » in its presidential program.
On the socialist side, former president François Hollande had made point 59 of his « »60 commitments for France»» In 2012, moderating on the socialist declaration of June 15, 2011 calling « France and Europe to recognize the Palestinian state to advance towards peace and reconciliation between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples ». Without realization during his mandate, the lack of UN resolution in this sense confronting him with the lack of his ministers Manuel Valls and Jean-Marc Ayrault on the subject. Despite the lack of concrete action towards recognition on the part of those who have exercised power, the positions on the left have varied little on the subject.
On the right, it’s another music. Among the Republicans, several executives refuse this decision for the moment. « Are the conditions met so that we go later in recognition, which is essential in the long term, of the reality of a State of Palestine? » No », Looked down the president of the Senate, Gérard Larcher, on Europe 1 on April 10, pointing to the attacks of Hamas against Israel and the weakness of the Palestinian authority. A much more radical position for Laurent Wauquiez. « When France receives congratulations from Hamas … I’m ashamed »had reacted on the same day on X the fallen president of the LR, after Hamas described as« Important step » Emmanuel Macron’s statement. Already in 2014, he voted against the parliamentary resolution recognizing the Palestinian State.
On this point, he had been followed by a very large majority of the UMP group (136 against, 9 for), with whom we find members of the current Bayrou government: Annie Genevard and Catherine Vautrin, respectively Ministers of Agriculture and Health, The current Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau And government spokesperson Sophie Primas also opposed it. In this, the representatives of the right of the years 2010 and 2020 differ from their predecessors, particularly Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy, who had each reaffirmed the legitimacy of a Palestinian state. Jacques Chirac also visited Ramallah in 1996where is the seat of the Palestinian authority, then chaired by Yasser Arafat. A line on which Nicolas Sarkozy will be based, defending a solution to two states and the membership of Palestine at UNESCO in 2011. Without the two men officially recognize the Palestinian State during their mandates.
The biggest reversal may be on the far right. If ex-LR Eric Ciotti has always been opposed, the national rally has changed his speech since October 7. Favorable to the recognition of a Palestinian state in 2012, like her father, Marine Le Pen is now firmly opposed to it. « Recognizing a Palestinian state is to recognize a Hamas state », said the far -right leader on BFMTV this Friday, May 30. Unconditional support of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahuuntil putting Israeli shots into perspective against a diplomatic convoy, the deputy for Pas-de-Calais believes that « Would forever deprive Israel of the prospect of obtaining security for their people and the security of its borders. »
If he believes today that « Conditions are not met » to support the recognition of Palestine, which he said « Would return to legitimize Hamas »the president of the RN, Jordan Bardella, considered in 2014 that « The honor of France is to recognize a Palestinian state », Taking up a formula from the former RN Florian Philippot. At that time, only Gilbert Collard, who left the party in 2022, opposed the frontists.
