Ambassador Huckabee Slams French Push for Palestinian State, Suggests France Use Riviera Instead

By: Fern Sidman

In a sharply worded rebuke of international pressure on Israel, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has criticized France for advancing proposals to establish a Palestinian state in the wake of Hamas’ October 7 massacre, suggesting that if France is so eager to create such a state, it should consider offering up part of its own territory — such as the French Riviera — instead of attempting to impose a solution on Israel.

Calling all #Palestinian living in #Gaza to migrate to the #FrenchRiviera @EmmanuelMacron is welcoming you https://t.co/Pu5do7wEAn

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) June 1, 2025

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Huckabee made it clear that he believes now is the worst possible time to push for the creation of a Palestinian state, especially when Israel remains embroiled in a war for its national security and survival. “It’s incredibly inappropriate in the midst of a war that Israel is dealing with to go out and present something that I think increasingly Israelis are steadfast against,” Huckabee stated, as reported on Sunday by Arutz Sheva.

Huckabee, who was appointed to the post by President Donald Trump earlier this year, added that France’s actions were not only misguided but fundamentally insulting to Israeli sovereignty. “October 7 changed a lot of things,” Huckabee emphasized. “If France is really so determined to see a Palestinian state, I have a suggestion for them — carve out a piece of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state. They are welcome to do that, but they are not welcome to impose that kind of pressure on a sovereign nation. And I find it revolting that they think they have the right to do such a thing.”

According to the information provided in the Arutz Sheva report, Huckabee also announced that the United States will not participate in an upcoming French- and Saudi-sponsored conference at the United Nations aimed at discussing the future creation of a Palestinian state. The conference is expected to be a high-profile event held later this month and has been criticized by several Israeli officials as premature and potentially dangerous given the current situation on the ground.

By far the best American Ambassador ever served in Israel.⁦@GovMikeHuckabee⁩ ⁦@USAmbIsrael⁩ ⁦@realDonaldTrump⁩ pic.twitter.com/YGd6D1kq17

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) June 1, 2025

The ambassador’s comments come in response to recent remarks made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who declared last week that the establishment of a Palestinian state is “not only a moral obligation — but a political necessity.” Macron’s comments, which included sharp criticism of Israel’s military operations following the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, have sparked a fierce backlash from Israeli political figures and Jewish organizations around the world.

As Arutz Sheva has reported, France under Macron is considering taking unilateral steps to recognize a Palestinian state — even in the absence of meaningful peace negotiations or the removal of Hamas from power in the Gaza Strip. This would represent a significant diplomatic shift, one that many see as undermining the long-standing framework of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

The idea of recognizing a Palestinian state without clear preconditions — particularly the disarmament or removal of Hamas, which orchestrated the deadly October 7 attack — has alarmed both Israeli and American officials. Israeli leaders argue that such a move would not only reward terrorism but embolden further attacks by signaling that the international community is willing to legitimize a Palestinian government regardless of its leadership or conduct.

Huckabee’s comments, cited by Arutz Sheva, also reflect a growing sense of unity within Israel against what many view as external interference in their national security decisions. “What France is doing is the diplomatic equivalent of telling a grieving family how to feel,” one senior Israeli diplomat told Arutz Sheva under condition of anonymity. “We are still burying our dead from October 7, and they are already talking about rewarding the perpetrators with statehood.”

The Israeli government, backed by allies such as the United States under the Trump administration, has long maintained that any lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be based on direct negotiations, mutual recognition, and the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure — conditions that are currently far from being met.

The current diplomatic clash speaks volumes about the widening gulf between Europe and Israel on Middle East policy, especially as several European nations move toward unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, according to the report at Arutz Sheva. This includes not just France, but also countries such as Ireland, Spain, and Belgium, where pro-Palestinian activism has exerted significant political pressure on national governments.

Ambassador Huckabee’s frank remarks may further cement the realignment of U.S.-Israel policy under President Trump’s renewed term, reflecting a clear prioritization of Israeli security and skepticism of European diplomatic overtures perceived as hostile or naïve.

As the Middle East continues to navigate one of its most volatile periods in recent memory, Israel’s leadership has expressed hope that key allies such as the United States will continue to stand firm against international pressure that seeks to delegitimize its right to defend itself or dictate the terms of a peace it is not yet ready to sign. In the words of Huckabee, “This is not the time for wishful thinking or reckless diplomacy — it’s a time to support Israel’s right to exist in peace and security.”