French President Emmanuel Macron has defended his decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, a move that is seen as a significant diplomatic shift in Europe. Despite government warnings, some French towns have begun flying Palestinian flags ahead of the official recognition, highlighting a divide within the country as a recent survey shows that 71% of the public opposes the recognition. Macron emphasized that recognizing the Palestinian state is crucial to isolating Hamas and may contribute to long-term peace efforts in the Middle East. However, the decision has sparked backlash from Israel, which is reportedly preparing a vigorous response. The upcoming recognition comes as Macron faces criticism for the timing of this announcement, especially with rising tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.