In a Saturday interview with Fox News, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sharply criticized an initiative planned by France and several European countries to formally recognize a Palestinian state in a declaration expected to take place next month in New York.
Huckabee said it is unacceptable for foreign countries to advance a solution that includes establishing a Palestinian state without involving Israel in the process. “If France is really that determined to see a Palestinian state, I have a proposal for them — carve out part of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state,” he said with irony.
Israelis strongly oppose the idea
He pointed out that public opinion in Israel shifted dramatically after the October 7 massacre by Hamas: “October 7 changed a lot of things,” he said, adding that “most Israelis now firmly oppose the idea of creating a Palestinian state.”
According to Huckabee, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 — which ended with Hamas taking over and turning the area into a terrorist stronghold — illustrates the danger of establishing such a state.
The ambassador emphasized that the Trump administration is not expected to take part in the French-Saudi initiative and urged political leaders in Paris and Riyadh to reconsider. “They are not invited to apply that kind of pressure on a sovereign nation,” he said. “We simply won’t be part of such a scheme.”
In conclusion, Huckabee stressed that the relationship between Israel and the United States is stronger than ever: “It’s not just a friendship — it’s a deep partnership in security and intelligence that must be preserved. We have no other option.”
