Wilders Responds to Macron’s Palestinian State Recognition
Dutch right-wing leader Geert Wilders has sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement to recognize the Palestinian state, suggesting with a twist of sarcasm that southern France could serve as a new Palestinian territory. His social media remarks have sparked considerable international attention.
By Sunday, Wilders’ post on X had garnered over five million views. It included a map of southern France alongside his provocative suggestion that the area could become a new home for Palestinians. “Here is the new Palestinian state. Most of France is already Islam anyway,” he stated. He further indicated, “The Netherlands will close the border soon.”
Politicians in the Netherlands reacted strongly after Macron revealed his intention to formally recognize the Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September. In response to Macron’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the decision, labeling it as a “suppression to fear.”
In a follow-up post, Wilders accused France of supporting terrorism, claiming, “France rewarded Hamas Islamic terrorists for the October 7 massacre by recognizing the ‘Palestinian state’. The Netherlands should never do that.”
Wilders’ stance on Middle Eastern issues has centered around the idea that Jordan should be recognized as a Palestinian state. His approach has notably influenced discussions of this topic since he gained prominence. Following a significant electoral victory in 2023 where his party secured 37 parliamentary seats, the political shift marked one of the most crucial changes in Dutch politics since World War II.
Over the years, Wilders has advocated that the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians could find resolution by acknowledging Jordan as a Palestinian state. Back in 2016, he criticized then-U.S. President Barack Obama, asserting, “Israel and Samaria belong to Israel” and stating that “Jordan-Palestine” should become a focus rather than criticizing Israeli settlements.
His argument is rooted in historical and demographic contexts. Jordan was formed from a significant portion of territory originally designated as Palestine, and a large segment of its population identifies as ethnically Palestinian. Many of these individuals fled or were displaced during conflicts like the Arab-Israeli War of 1948 and the Six-Day War in 1967. Importantly, Jordan stands out as the only Arab nation fully integrating Palestinian refugees.
Wilders has been a staunch ally of Israel, often depicting it as a crucial defense against Islamic extremism in the West. Earlier this year, he warned Dutch parliament members that if Jerusalem were to fall, it would only be a matter of time before cities like Athens, Paris, or Amsterdam were next.
“The fact that Western mothers can sleep peacefully is because the mothers of Israeli soldiers are awake,” he remarked during a parliamentary discussion. He asserts that Israel represents “the only democracy in the Middle East” and claims its defense forces are “fighting our battle” against groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Israeli leaders have expressed gratitude for Wilders’ unwavering support, with Netanyahu stating, “Thank you to Geert Wilders! You are a real friend of Israel!” Wilders responded affirmatively, reinforcing his friendship with Israel.
On a different note, Former President Trump offered a more reserved but skeptical take on Macron’s announcement, remarking, “Look, he’s a different kind of guy… but it doesn’t matter what he says. That’s not going to change anything.”
Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Macron’s plan as a “reckless decision,” describing it as a “slap in the face” to victims of the October 7 attacks against Israeli citizens.
The diplomatic tensions escalated further as Israel summoned the French vice ambassador to address Macron’s statements officially. Foreign Ministry Director Eden Bar Tal expressed dissatisfaction with the French position during this meeting.
Living under constant security threats due to his outspoken criticism of Islam, Wilders has built a political identity emphasizing opposition to what he views as European concessions to Islamic influence. Often compared to Trump, he has pledged to halt the influx of asylum seekers while proposing a referendum for the Netherlands to exit the European Union.
Wilders’ significant involvement in anti-immigration, anti-Islam, and pro-Israel positions demonstrates his powerful influence in shaping debates on these topics across Europe, particularly as nations grapple with increasingly fragmented perspectives on Middle Eastern policy.
