US envoy to Israel Huckabee slams French push for Palestinian state

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has provoked outrage after ridiculing France’s calls to recognise a Palestinian state, dismissing the move as “revolting” and suggesting Paris should instead "carve out a piece of the French Riviera" if it truly supports Palestinian sovereignty.

The former Republican governor and staunch Christian Zionist made the comments during an appearance on Fox News on Saturday, where he doubled down on his backing for Israel's devastating war on Gaza, a campaign that has killed nearly 56,000 Palestinians, the vast majority of them civilians, since 7 October 2023.

Huckabee's comments came in response to French President Emmanuel Macron, who on Friday described Palestinian statehood as "not only a moral duty, but a political necessity". Macron also warned that European countries must toughen their stance on Israel if it continues to block humanitarian aid and escalate military attacks.

Palestinians in Gaza are enduring famine conditions as Israel’s 11-week siege on aid access deepens. Rights groups have accused Israel of deliberately starving civilians and using food as a weapon - acts that could amount to war crimes under international law.

Rather than addressing the catastrophic humanitarian crisis, Huckabee lashed out at Macron’s comments, claiming it was "incredibly inappropriate" to push for Palestinian rights during what he called "a war that Israel is dealing with", despite overwhelming evidence that the Israeli military has systematically targeted homes, hospitals, and aid convoys.

"If France is really so determined to see a Palestinian state, I've got a suggestion for them, carve out a piece of the French Riviera," Huckabee said. "But they are not welcome to impose that kind of pressure on a sovereign nation," referring to Israel’s ongoing occupation and siege of Palestinian land.

His remarks reflect the hardline position of the Netanyahu government, which continues to reject any form of Palestinian statehood while deepening its annexation of the occupied West Bank. Earlier this month, Israel announced plans to build 22 new illegal settlements in a clear violation of international law.

Huckabee confirmed the US would boycott an upcoming UN conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia aimed at reviving negotiations around a two-state solution. "I find it revolting that they think they have the right to do such a thing," he said, in reference to European diplomatic efforts.

Appointed by Donald Trump earlier this year, Huckabee has long rejected Palestinian statehood and openly denied the existence of the Palestinian people. He has praised Israeli settlements, calling them part of a "Jewish Israeli state" - echoing the language of Israeli officials seeking to erase the prospect of Palestinian self-determination.

His latest remarks reinforce what Palestinian advocates have long warned. Washington’s unwavering support for Israeli aggression, combined with the elevation of far-right figures like Huckabee, undermines international law and fuels ongoing dispossession and violence against Palestinians.