Gaza City, June 2 (RHC)-- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has strongly condemned recent provocative remarks by the U.S. ambassador to the Israeli-occupied territories, in which he proposed establishing a Palestinian state on French soil.
In a statement released on Sunday, Hamas said the resistance movement considers the remarks by Mike Huckabee "a blatant disregard for our people's legitimate national rights and a flagrant violation of international law and UN resolutions."
"Huckabee's disgraceful statement reflects shameless adoption of the fascist occupation's narrative that denies our people's rights to their land and holy sites."
The remarks by the U.S. envoy provide political cover for the Netanyahu regime's crimes in its attempts to impose a reality of brutal genocide and forced displacement, the Palestinian group said. "The statements further confirm the American complete bias toward the Zionist occupation and its colonial expansionist approach," Hamas said.
Elsewhere, Hamas called on the UN and international community to "take serious action to support Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle for freedom, self-determination, and the establishment of their independent Palestinian state on their own land."
Huckabee recently described recognition of a Palestinian state by European countries, including France, as "inappropriate" while Israel is fighting a war in the besieged Gaza Strip.
“It’s incredibly inappropriate in the midst of a war that Israel is dealing with to go out and present something that I think increasingly Israelis are steadfast against,” he told Fox News.
Huckabee’s comments came after French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that recognizing a Palestinian state, with conditions, is “not only a moral duty, but a political necessity.”
Macron said that European countries should “harden the collective position” against Israel if it did not respond appropriately to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including keeping open the possibility of sanctions.
Macron, during a visit to Singapore on Friday, said France could “apply sanctions” against Israeli settlers unless the regime in Tel Aviv puts an end to the humanitarian assistance blockade on Gaza.
The French leader urged the international community not to remain passive regarding the devastating hunger crisis in Gaza.
Huckabee, a Baptist pastor who preached for more than a decade in Arkansas churches, also served as Arkansas governor from 1996 to 2007.
The 70-year-old right-wing politician has been known for his staunch support for illegal settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories, dehumanization of Palestinians, and opposition to Palestinian statehood.
