NEW YORK – Americans For a Safe Israel (AFSI), a prominent pro-Israel advocacy group, is calling on American Jews to boycott France in protest of French President Emmanuel Macron’s declaration that his government will officially recognize a Palestinian state in September. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Jewish organizations and Israeli officials, as well as members of the United States Congress.
The boycott call was announced by AFSI National Chairman Moshe Phillips, who condemned the timing of Macron’s decision, which comes as Hamas continues to hold Israeli hostages abducted during the October 7 terror attacks. “President Macron’s announcement of recognizing a ‘State of Palestine,’ when no such state exists, is a slap in the face to Israel’s victims of terrorism,” Phillips stated.
“That Macron issued this statement at the same time that Hamas once again told American negotiators that they refuse to free the innocent hostages they kidnapped over 650 days ago is a moral disgrace. American Jews should respond by canceling all planned trips to France.”
AFSI’s position reflects growing concerns in the pro-Israel community that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state rewards terror and undermines peace prospects. French officials have framed the move as an effort to advance a two-state solution and address humanitarian concerns in Gaza, but critics dispute the effectiveness and timing of the decision.
Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL), a vocal supporter of Israel, welcomed AFSI’s response and called out France’s action. “Choosing to reward terrorism, hostage-taking, and genocide against Jews is the wrong choice,” Mast said. The United States government currently opposes unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, maintaining that a solution should be achieved through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
Israeli officials and Jewish advocacy groups have long contended that international moves to recognize a Palestinian state, especially without the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and an end to incitement, only serve to embolden extremist groups like Hamas. They point to Palestinian Authority leaders’ record of glorifying terror and paying stipends to convicted attackers as evidence that such recognition is premature and counterproductive.
France is poised to become the first G7 member to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. The decision has sparked debate within the European Union and among France’s Jewish community, many of whom fear that the move could further isolate Israel and signal approval of intransigence by Palestinian factions.
AFSI and its supporters argue that Jewish communities worldwide must take a public stance in response. “The message from Paris rewards terror and signals to our enemies that violence against Jews pays political dividends. We owe it to the hostages and victims to speak out and act,” Phillips concluded.
This article is based on verified information from the Americans for a Safe Israel news release, official statements by Congressman Brian Mast, reporting from leading international news organizations, and statements from French and Israeli government sources.