OREANDA-NEWS  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned France's intention to recognize Palestine, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron.

"The United States strongly rejects Emmanuel Macron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly," he wrote on the social network.

The diplomat stressed: "This reckless decision only serves the propaganda of Hamas and hinders the establishment of peace."

"This is a slap in the face to the victims of the events of October 7," the Secretary of State added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also strongly condemned, writing on the social network X: "A Palestinian state in these conditions would become a launching pad for the destruction of Israel, and not for a peaceful life next to it. Let's be clear: the Palestinians are not seeking a State alongside Israel; they are seeking a state instead of Israel."

Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh spoke in support of Macron.

"We express our gratitude and appreciation to President Emmanuel Macron for his letter sent to President Mahmoud Abbas, which underlines France's firm position and his country's intention to recognize the state of Palestine in September," the message on the vice President's page on the social network X.

Hamas called Macron's intention "a positive step in the right direction towards achieving justice for our oppressed Palestinian people and supporting their legitimate right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in all occupied territories."

As reported, the French president said that Paris would recognize the state of Palestine in September at the UN General Assembly.

"True to my historical commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the state of Palestine," Macron wrote on the social network X.

He specified that he would make a solemn declaration at the UN General Assembly in September.

The French leader confirmed his intention to recognize Palestine in a letter to the leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.