The UN Relief and Works Agency will get continuous financial support, according to the French ambassador to Jordan. Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison emphasized the need of putting a stop to settlement violence in the West Bank and promoting a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip at a meeting with the Senate’s Jordanian-French Friendship Committee. According to the Jordanian news agency Petra, Grandmaison reaffirmed France’s support for UN resolutions pertaining to Gaza and promised to continue providing financial help to UNRWA. The envoy commended King Abdullah II’s position on the Israeli-Hamas conflict and the Palestinian situation, as well as Jordan’s efforts to help Gaza. He also reaffirmed his nation’s support for Jordan’s guardianship of the Jerusalem holy sites and its role in maintaining peace and security in the region.
Previous French Diplomatic stance
Senator Issa Murad emphasized the critical need for a ceasefire in Gaza and applauded King Abdullah II’s humanitarian efforts to improve the situation there. He underlined how crucial it is for UNRWA to have international support. In addition to using its clout in the UN Security Council and other international fora to resolve the Gaza crisis and address the Palestinian dilemma, the committee called for France to step up its aid to Gaza. Following an early period of support for Israel’s military response to the October 7 strikes, authorities have begun to criticize the high death toll. As a result, French President Emmanuel Macron is signaling a hardening of his attitude on Israel in the Gaza battle. One of the few heads of state from the West, Mr. Macron openly accused Israel of being responsible for the deaths of 112 Palestinians in the so-called flour massacre that occurred last week in northern Gaza, as Israeli soldiers opened fire on a throng gathering behind an aid truck. Following the President’s denunciation, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne made a forceful statement blaming Israel for the “unjustifiable” humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
Shift in French diplomacy
This indicates a development in French diplomacy motivated by the country’s desire to maintain positive ties with its regional allies. Professor of international law and political science at Science Po Paris Karim El Mufti said. “We are approaching European elections and the West is criticizing Israel’s position more and more.” For many, however, a succession of confused responses to the most recent war have undermined France’s attempts to keep a clear voice in Europe on the Israel-Palestine problem. France has made an effort to continue its dual message strategy, even if at first it plainly supported Israel, especially in October and November, according to Nadim Houry, head of the Paris-based think tank Arab Reform Initiative. Then, France attempted to reframe that message as it became evident in its eyes that Israel was murdering a significant number of people. However, this hasn’t always made it easier for France to speak up in the area.
Statements from French Officials
Many diplomats and Arab partners saw Mr. Macron’s early unreserved support for Israel as out of touch with reality, especially his call for an anti-Hamas coalition modeled after the international coalition against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Many claim that efforts to reframe government messaging on the issue have been largely eclipsed by this early response. However, France has demanded a ceasefire several times during the last few months. Along with cooperating with Jordan to drop humanitarian assistance into the enclave by parachute, Paris has coordinated with Qatar to bring medical help to Gaza.
International Reactions
Mr. Macron listened to Sheikh Tamim discuss the “genocide” of Palestinians in Gaza during a lecture. This accusation has gathered momentum since the International Court of Justice declared in late January that it was “plausible” to characterize Israel’s conduct in Gaza as genocide. Mr. Macron praised Qatar for its diplomatic involvement in the dispute, although he refrained from using the word genocide. Negotiations about a cease-fire and hostages involve Doha. Together, France and Qatar expressed their objections to Israel extending its military campaign to the southern Gaza Strip’s Rafah, where over a million civilians have sought safety.
Final words
In conclusion, The anti-Hamas coalition was one of the proposals that further distanced France from its so-called “Gaullist foreign policy.” Compared to the US, France was never a major player in the Israel-Palestine issue, but it has attempted in the past to make an independent voice known. Jacques Chirac was the latest French president to represent this viewpoint. His scathing criticism of Israeli security agents in October 1996 for denying him access to Palestinians as he was strolling around Jerusalem’s Old City solidified his nation’s pro-Arab standing.
