STORY: Israelis largely reacted with disapproval on Friday (July 25) of France's intention to recognise a Palestinian state later this year, set to become the first global Western power to make the move.

Residents of Tel Aviv called it a "slap in the face to Israel" and said it would be a "Hamas state". One resident interview voiced hope that it would bring a peace deal closer.

France is now the first major Western country to shift its diplomatic stance on a Palestinian state, after Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognised one last year.

The decision to recognise Palestinian statehood is mostly symbolic, with Israel occupying the territories where the Palestinians have long aimed to establish that state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Ahead of Macron's announcement, Israeli officials had spent months lobbying to prevent what some had called "a nuclear bomb" for bilateral relations.

Sources familiar with the matter say Israel's warnings to France had ranged from scaling back intelligence-sharing to complicating Paris' regional initiatives - even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Israelis in Tel Aviv largely critical of French intentions to recognise a Palestinian state

VIDEO SHOWS: ISRAELIS IN TEL AVIV REACTING TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON ON HIS INTENTION TO RECOGNISE A PALESTINIAN STATE

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (JULY 25, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. PEOPLE WALKING IN PARK

2. PHOTOS OF HOSTAGES IN GAZA HANGING FROM TREES

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MATAN, TEL AVIV RESIDENT, SAYING:

"I think that is a real slap in the face to Israel and the victims of October 7. I think that is the easy thing to do, I think it's easy to put the blame on Israel and to say we reward this act of terrorism with a Palestinian state and maybe that is some lip service for his voters."

4. PEOPLE WALKING

5. MAN READING NEWSPAPER

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI CITIZEN IZIK KUBERSKI, SAYING:

"It's gonna be a Hamas state, and you know what happens with the terrorists... So it's not a good idea. If they want a real peace, they can have it but they have to stop with the terrorism and they have to recognise Israel."

7. PEOPLE AT CAFE

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISAAC KUBERSKI, TEL AVIV RESIDENT, SAYING:

"I think it's a good thing. I think that every step that brings us closer to a two-state solution is welcome and moves us forward."

9. PEOPLE SITTING ON BENCH IN PARK WITH HOSTAGE PHOTOS HANGING FROM TREE ABOVE