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Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, openly accused Emmanuel Macron of undermining talks between Israel and Hamas. According to him, the French announcement in September recognizing the State of Palestine is pushing the Islamist movement to reject a deal.
A Game-Changing Statement
On July 24, Emmanuel Macron confirmed on his X account that France would recognize Palestine. This will happen at the UN General Assembly. He described the decision as "the only possible path toward a future in which justice, security, and dignity are guaranteed for all the peoples of the region" (see August 3 post on X). But he also set conditions: Hamas disarmament, exclusion from governance, and recognition of Israel.
According to Marco Rubio, this announcement triggered a domino effect. Several countries, such as the United Kingdom and Canada, have promised to follow the French example. This will happen if no ceasefire is reached before September. Australia and Portugal are reportedly considering the same stance.
The U.S. Pullback from Negotiations
On the day of the French announcement, the United States withdrew from the ceasefire negotiations. According to Politico, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff believed Hamas was not negotiating in good faith. For Rubio, the Paris statement was seen by Hamas as a "reward" and a "symbolic victory."
He summed up his criticism this way: "These messages, while largely symbolic, made it harder to reach an agreement and establish peace."
A Tense Diplomatic Context
The current conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, after a coordinated attack by the Palestinian group. The event prompted a major military response from Israel, including in the Gaza Strip. Since then, international mediation efforts have multiplied, often under the auspices of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.
France, traditionally in favor of a two-state solution, has until now avoided unilateral recognition of Palestine. Macron’s initiative therefore marks a diplomatic turning point. It comes as part of an international dynamic in which several countries are seeking to exert political pressure to speed up negotiations.
Who Is Marco Rubio?
Born in 1971 in Miami, Marco Antonio Rubio is an American politician of Cuban origin. A member of the Republican Party, he established himself as an influential figure in the U.S. Senate. He was later appointed Secretary of State by Donald Trump in January 2025. He is known for his conservative positions on social issues and for his firm support for Israel.
His career is marked by a rapid rise, starting as a local representative in Florida. He then ran his 2016 presidential campaign. Although he did not win the Republican nomination against Trump, he consolidated his influence on the national stage.
A Transatlantic Split Over Palestine
Macron’s position illustrates a growing divergence between Paris and Washington on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. The United States, under the Trump administration, favors unwavering support for Israel and rejects any recognition of the State of Palestine outside a negotiated agreement.
For France, recognition could serve as a political lever. For Washington, it undermines mediation efforts. This divergence could weigh on bilateral cooperation in other sensitive areas, such as Ukraine or Iran.
Toward a Turbulent Diplomatic Fall
In September, the UN General Assembly will become the main arena for this debate. Countries favorable to recognizing Palestine hope to mobilize a large diplomatic bloc. Opponents, led by the United States and Israel, will try to limit its impact.
Between political maneuvering and persistent military tensions in Gaza, the prospect of a ceasefire remains distant. And the back-and-forth statements from Macron and Rubio are already pointing to an international season of high tension.