The decision to reject the proposal to create a France-Palestine friendship group within the French National Assembly has stirred controversy. The vote, which resulted in eleven against eight, saw members of the Renaissance party, two MoDem representatives, lawmakers from Les Républicains (LR), and the Rassemblement national voting against the proposal. On the other hand, five left-wing deputies, one MoDem representative, one Horizons member, and a Renaissance member supported the initiative put forth by MoDem deputy Richard Ramos from Loiret, who leads the France-Palestine international studies group within the Assembly. This decision has been criticized as going against the historical stance of French diplomacy on the issue.
During the debate within the highest collegial body of the National Assembly, the members discussed whether to transform the France-Palestine international studies group into a friendship group. While in principle, there are few differences between the two types of parliamentary bodies, which both have the same administrative and financial resources and serve as spaces for bilateral cooperation between French and foreign parliamentarians, the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas has given added significance to the creation of a France-Palestine friendship group. Such a group would have symbolic diplomatic implications, despite the President of France having a primary role in shaping foreign policy.
The resurgence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has highlighted the potential diplomatic importance of establishing a friendship group with Palestine. Any friendship group with a foreign state must be approved by the National Assembly’s bureau based on three criteria: the existence of a parliament, diplomatic relations with France, and membership in the UN. Creating a friendship group with Palestine would have been a symbolic step towards official diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian state, although it remains largely symbolic.
Benjamin Morel, a law lecturer at Panthéon-Assas University in Paris, emphasizes the symbolic significance of creating a friendship group with Palestine in the context of promoting a two-state solution. The recognition of both an Israeli and a Palestinian state, along with the establishment of a friendship group, is seen as a step towards achieving peace. Stéphane Peu, a Communist deputy from Seine-Saint-Denis, also highlights the importance of recognizing both Israeli and Palestinian states as part of the solution to the ongoing conflict. The symbolism and potential diplomatic impact of creating a friendship group with Palestine are seen as crucial steps towards resolving the conflict.
Despite the rejection of the proposal by the National Assembly’s bureau, the debate surrounding the establishment of a France-Palestine friendship group continues to be contentious. The decision has been criticized as a historical mistake and a departure from the traditional French diplomatic stance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. The differing opinions within the Assembly reflect broader debates within French politics regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting peace and stability in the region. The implications of this decision on French foreign policy and diplomatic relations remain to be seen, as supporters and opponents of the proposal continue to advocate for their respective positions within the political landscape.
