In a historic move, France reveals its plans to formally recognize Palestine as a state during the upcoming UN General Assembly, triggering varied reactions.
France to Officially Recognize Palestinian State, Announces Macron
France to Officially Recognize Palestinian State, Announces Macron
President Macron emphasizes the urgency for peace amid escalating Gaza conflict.
France is set to officially recognize the State of Palestine in September, as announced by President Emmanuel Macron via a post on X. The formal recognition will occur during a session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Macron emphasized the urgent need for an end to the conflict in Gaza, stating, "Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza."
The announcement drew a positive response from Palestinian officials, including a statement from Abbas’ deputy, Hussein al-Sheikh, who commended France for its commitment to supporting the Palestinian rights to self-determination. Conversely, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz condemned the decision as a "disgrace" and a capitulation to terrorism.
In his remarks, Macron reiterated France’s commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, while calling for the demilitarization of Hamas and infrastructure development in Gaza. He stressed that recognizing Palestine must come with guarantees for its viability and a commitment to coexist peacefully with Israel.
Despite more than 140 UN member states recognizing Palestine, significant allies of Israel, including the US and the UK, have not joined in this recognition. Israeli officials argue that any acknowledgment of a Palestinian state in light of Hamas’s recent attacks is tantamount to rewarding terrorism, escalating tensions between the two parties.
The ongoing violence has led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where recent reports indicate significant casualties and severe malnutrition among children. The international community is increasingly alarmed about the situation, with over 100 aid organizations voicing concerns about mass starvation, while UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the conditions in Gaza as "grave" and a humanitarian catastrophe.
