It's Friday, July 25th, 2025.

From Peachfish Productions, it's the gist. I'm Mike Pesca.

The horrors in Gaza continue. Malnutrition is reported by international organizations is worsening.

And Israel's failure to effectively deliver aid has not only exacerbated the crisis, but contributed to civilian

deaths. While Israeli officials dispute these figures, pointing out they come from the Hamas

Ministry of Health, it's undeniable that many innocent Gazans have been killed simply for trying

to obtain enough food to survive. Against this backdrop, French President Emmanuel Macron joined other European leaders in a largely

symbolic gesture, the recognition of a Palestinian state.

NPR described the move this way.

France will soon recognize Palestine as a state.

They say they want to speed the peace process by leveling the playing field at the negotiating table.

Now, I want to tell you, I have searched extensively in both French and English for instances

of McCrone using the exact phrases heard there, leveling the playing field or speeding the peace

process. And I don't think that's what he said exactly. But the sentiment tracks. McCrone's message was,

his was an act meant to help push toward a negotiated end of the war.

That is a mistake.

That is a misunderstanding of how negotiations work.

So for negotiations to succeed, both sides should have a realistic understanding of their positions. If not, if both sides have the same

unrealistic understanding, it could also result in a successful negotiation. But when one side is at a

clear disadvantage and yet is led to believe that the playing field is level, they will never agree to a

lasting settlement.

In this case, Israel holds overwhelming military dominance over Hamas, and they know it.

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