The President expressed his support for the recognition of a Palestinian state during a visit to Germany, stressing the importance of choosing the right moment to do so. While he has long advocated a two-state solution, Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday 28 May that he did not want to recognise the State of Palestine impulsively, but rather at the right time

‘For France, there is no taboo subject. I am entirely prepared to recognise a Palestinian state”, declared Macron from Germany, adding: ’I think that this recognition must come at the right time, as part of a process in which the states of the region and Israel are involved, and which, on the basis of a reform of the Palestinian Authority, can lead to a concrete result. I don’t want to act on emotion.

This statement comes as Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognised the Palestinian state on the same day, and two days after the Israeli strike on the Rafah refugee camp, prompting an outraged international reaction.

‘Like you, I am distressed by the images we are seeing in Rafah, but the response must be political’, added the President at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Meseberg, near Berlin

Earlier in the day, the French National Assembly was in turmoil. During questions to the government, Sébastien Delogu stood up and waved a Palestinian flag, causing an uproar.

The Bureau of the Assembly immediately proposed that the Member for Bouches-du-Rhône be excluded from the sitting for 15 days because of the ‘uproar’ he had caused. This sanction, the most severe possible, was quickly approved by the deputies, welcomed by the majority, Les Républicains and Rassemblement national, but arousing the astonishment of La France insoumise.