The Assembly’s office, its highest collegiate body, rejected on Wednesday, May 15th, the request to transform a France-Palestine study group into a “friendship group,” stating that the criteria for its creation were not met, much to the disappointment of the left and its president from the MoDem party. The Assembly already has an international study group (GEVI) on Palestine, chaired by MoDem deputy Richard Ramos, which brings together members from various political parties. Ramos wanted this group to be transformed into a friendship group, similar to those existing for most states, including Israel.
These friendship groups, which have a budget, can engage in diplomatic and cultural initiatives, such as reaching out to foreign parliaments and lawmakers by organizing visits or inviting representatives and citizens from other countries to France. The request by Mr. Ramos was rejected by eleven votes to eight, amidst tensions caused by the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the threat of a large-scale ground offensive in Rafah. The left supported the request, while the right and far-right opposed it, along with most members of the presidential camp. Ramos condemned it as a “historical error.”
Assembly president Yaël Braun-Pivet opposed the request, stating that the criteria for creating a friendship group were not met, such as the presence of a Parliament in the state, recognition by the UN, and diplomatic relations with France. The Palestinian Authority has a representative in France, but has not held legislative elections for more than seventeen years, and Palestine is not recognized by the UN, according to parliamentary sources. Ramos argued that elections have not taken place due to difficulties in coordinating with Israeli partners in East Jerusalem.
Some opponents of the measure argue that the GEVI groups can carry out similar diplomatic initiatives as friendship groups. However, Ramos believes that a France-Palestine friendship group should collaborate with the France-Israel group to organize joint trips to Jerusalem. He emphasized the need for symmetry in diplomacy. He also expressed disappointment that two MoDem deputies voted against the friendship group, when most of the party had supported its creation. Elodie Jacquier-Laforge, MoDem vice-president in the Assembly, explained her decision by stating their desire for Palestine to be recognized as a full-fledged state by the UN, although this is not currently the case.
Ramos also highlighted that there was a recent vote at the UN for the membership of Palestine, which was blocked by a US veto. He stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts and the need for a shared approach in these matters. The rejection of the friendship group for Palestine by the Assembly’s office reflects the ongoing complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict in French politics. Despite differing opinions on this decision, the discussions and debates within the Assembly reflect the broader international dynamics and challenges in diplomacy and foreign relations.
