Emmanuel Macron told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris that any Israeli annexation of the West Bank would be a "red line" prompting a firm European response. The leaders announced a joint committee to draft a provisional Palestinian constitution and pledged reforms, including elections after the war. Violence in the West Bank has surged since October 2023; official tallies cited in the meeting reported 1,002 Palestinian deaths and 43 Israeli deaths there, while Gaza's health ministry reports over 69,000 Palestinian deaths in the broader campaign.
Macron: West Bank Annexation Would Cross a 'Red Line' — Europe Will Respond
Emmanuel Macron told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris that any Israeli annexation of the West Bank would be a "red line" prompting a firm European response. The leaders announced a joint committee to draft a provisional Palestinian constitution and pledged reforms, including elections after the war. Violence in the West Bank has surged since October 2023; official tallies cited in the meeting reported 1,002 Palestinian deaths and 43 Israeli deaths there, while Gaza's health ministry reports over 69,000 Palestinian deaths in the broader campaign.
07:19 AM, 11/12/2025Politics
Macron Warns Against West Bank Annexation
French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Tuesday that any Israeli move to annex parts of the West Bank — whether formally or de facto — would be a "red line" that would prompt a strong response from European partners. He made the comments during a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris.
Meeting in Paris
The visit took place about a month into a fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that followed the militant group's October 7, 2023 attack. Abbas, 89, the long-serving head of the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank, has been discussed as a possible administrator for Gaza under proposed transitional arrangements.
"Plans for partial or total annexation, whether legal or de facto, constitute a red line to which we will respond strongly with our European partners," Macron said.
Concerns over Settlements and Violence
Macron said settler violence and an acceleration of settlement projects are reaching new heights, undermining West Bank stability and violating international law. Violence in the West Bank has surged since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023.
Joint Committee and Political Reforms
Following their talks, Macron and Abbas announced the creation of a joint committee "for the consolidation of the state of Palestine." The committee is intended to help draft a provisional constitution and laws on elections and political parties. Abbas reiterated his commitment to hold presidential and parliamentary elections once conditions allow.
International Proposals and Security
The leaders also discussed international stabilization proposals. Under a 20-point plan associated with former US President Donald Trump, an international security force drawn from Arab and Muslim partners would help stabilise Gaza as Israeli forces withdraw and a transitional authority administers the strip until Palestinian authorities can implement reforms.
Casualty Figures and Sources
According to the Palestinian health ministry, at least 1,002 Palestinians, including militants, have been killed in the West Bank since the Gaza war began. Israeli official figures report 43 Israelis, including soldiers, killed in West Bank attacks during the same period. Separately, Gaza's health ministry reports that more than 69,000 Palestinians have died in the campaign there; those figures are cited as reliable by the United Nations. Hamas's October 2023 attack is reported to have killed 1,221 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Note: Figures are reported by the respective health ministries and official sources cited in diplomatic statements; reporting agencies and international bodies may have different tallies.