Emmanuel Macron postpones conference but maintains his line on a Palestinian state

It was from the Élysée Palace that the French President held a press conference on the situation in the Middle East. Emmanuel Macron returned to the Israeli strikes in Iran . "This creates a new era," he asserted while justifying "Israel's right to defend itself" against the threat posed by Iran. Because the head of state believes that Tehran was moving towards obtaining military nuclear power and at the risk of "destabilizing the entire region." He also emphasized that "France did not recommend Israeli strikes." Adding about the option chosen by Israel, "Do we support it? No. We had favored another voice. But the threat to Israel was real" before calling for "a resumption of dialogue and to avoid an escalation."

The French leader made it clear that this position "is not unconditional and unlimited support." However, during the press conference, Emmanuel Macron reiterated: "We support Israel's security." The French president went so far as to state that: "If Israel were attacked by Iran, we would be available" to defend Israel , "but we will not participate in an offensive attack against Tehran."

Asked about the Iranian response or an Israeli military operation, he stated, "On regional risks, we are preparing for everything." But according to his intelligence, the potential for Iran to quickly obtain "nuclear weapons" and "threaten the region , " "Europe," and "the world" was real. This, however, is doubted by many experts. "It's an existential threat," Emmanuel Macron insisted, condemning the Iranian attitude that did not take "negotiations with the United States seriously." Not a word about the victims, nor about the risks to civilians of these bombings of nuclear facilities.

In essence, the president has therefore defended a dangerous logic of preemptive war, including Iran in a new version of the axis of evil. A worldview reminiscent of American ultra-conservatives. The use of force and war are now justifiable because Tehran "supplies missiles to Russia" in the war in Ukraine. He also evokes a link between these actors who are working for the worst. No condemnation, or barely lip service, against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right government, which is pursuing a genocidal policy in Gaza, ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, and opening wars throughout the region: Lebanon, Syria .

Regarding the international conference at the UN , on the Franco-Saudi initiative scheduled for June 17-20, to recognize the State of Palestine, the French president announced that it would be "postponed" because "all the leaders of the region had to stay at home." Emmanuel Macron explained that the Israeli attack is causing serious regional complications. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Salman and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who were due to speak at the United Nations, are forced to remain in Saudi Arabia and Palestine. But he clarified that: " The momentum of this conference is unstoppable."

For him, despite this postponement and the events of the "last few hours" , "we cannot forget Gaza" . He promised to work "towards a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and humanitarian aid" . Emmanuel Macron once again judged that to stop a permanent conflict, the " prospect for peace requires a two-state solution " . Because it is a "historic commitment" and repeated: "A life is worth a life. There are no double standards. This message was brought today to Paris" by the Forum for Peace at the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) by Palestinian and Israeli civil society. An appeal was launched for a two-state solution and an immediate ceasefire.

These voices support the initiative of France and Saudi Arabia, which was to be held in New York, considered the French president. He recalled that "this postponement is not a step backward for the two-state solution" and "the recognition of Palestine" remains a "sovereign decision."