In a sharp jab at French diplomacy, America’s new ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has challenged Paris to back up its push for Palestinian statehood—by carving out a slice of its own territory. His tongue-in-cheek suggestion? Why not hand over part of the Côte d’Azur?
Speaking during an interview with Fox News, Huckabee didn’t mince words. “If France is so eager to see a Palestinian state,” he said, “I’ve got an idea: carve off part of the Côte d’Azur and make one.” Huckabee, a staunch Republican and longtime supporter of Israel’s settler movement, blasted France for trying to strong-arm Israel, calling such pressure on a sovereign nation unacceptable.
His comments triggered swift outrage in Paris, where officials are already leading a high-profile diplomatic push on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. France, alongside Saudi Arabia, is set to co-chair an upcoming international conference on the two-state solution. President Emmanuel Macron, while stopping short of a formal recognition of Palestine, has insisted that creating a Palestinian state is not just a moral imperative—but a political necessity.
Macron also warned that if conditions in Gaza deteriorate further, Europe must be prepared to tighten the screws on Israel through sanctions—a view that’s gaining traction across the continent. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, among others, has hinted at tougher measures if Israel continues blocking aid. Several European countries, including Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others, are already pushing for formal recognition of Palestine and sanctions against the Israeli government.
For its part, Israel has responded with fury. Accusing Macron of launching a modern-day “crusade” against the Jewish state, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Friday that Israel would press ahead with plans to entrench Jewish sovereignty in the West Bank—a direct rebuttal to mounting international pressure. “They may recognize a Palestinian state on paper,” Katz declared. “We will establish the Jewish-Israeli state here, on the ground.”
Meanwhile, Huckabee framed his latest comments in the context of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which he says permanently altered the diplomatic landscape. In light of that event, he called France’s efforts at the UN to push Palestinian statehood “wildly inappropriate” while Israel remains at war.
The diplomatic battle lines in Europe are shifting too. While many European allies have cooled toward Israel since the Gaza conflict escalated, some—like Hungary—are doubling down on their support. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government recently withdrew from the International Criminal Court after arrest warrants were issued for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Around the same time, Orbán welcomed Netanyahu on a state visit to Budapest, underscoring Hungary’s unwavering backing.
With tensions flaring between Israel and Europe—and with voices like Huckabee’s adding fuel to the fire—the path to peace in the region looks as thorny as ever.
