France, April 10 -- France's plan to recognise a Palestinian state within months has triggered fierce criticism from Israel, with officials claiming the move rewards terrorism and undermines peace efforts.

"A unilateral recognition of a fictional Palestinian state, by any country, in the reality that we all know, will be a prize for terror and a boost for Hamas," said Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on social media platform X.

The Israeli government has long opposed external recognition of a Palestinian state in the absence of a negotiated peace agreement.

Israel's ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, called the French plan "totally irresponsible" during an interview on FranceInfo Thursday.

"Talking about the creation of a Palestinian sta...