France to recognise Palestinian state at UN general assembly, Macron says

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will officially recognise the State of Palestine, with a formal declaration set for the United Nations General Assembly in September.

"True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine," Macron said in posts on X and Instagram.

Macron described the Gaza conflict as a humanitarian emergency and framed recognition as part of a long-term diplomatic push. “The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian population,” he wrote.

In a message to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to peace and diplomacy, stating: "Peace is possible."

He added that a viable Palestinian state must come with demilitarisation and mutual recognition: “We must finally build the State of Palestine… [and] fully recognise Israel.”

Senior Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh welcomed the move, calling it “a moral commitment” that shows France’s support for the Palestinian right to self-determination.

In Ramallah and across the West Bank, the announcement was met with praise. “This is a political victory for the Palestinian people,” said Mahmoud al-Ifranji. “We hope this will lead other countries to follow France’s lead.”

Saudi Arabia also endorsed the announcement. In a statement, the kingdom called the recognition “historic” and urged other nations to support Palestinian statehood.

“The decision reaffirms the international community's consensus on the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state,” the Saudi foreign ministry said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted sharply, calling the move a “reward for terror” that could lead to the creation of “another Iranian proxy” like Hamas-ruled Gaza.

“This will become a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it,” Netanyahu said, rejecting the decision as a threat to Israel’s security.

France joins at least 142 countries — including Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Norway — that have recognised or signalled plans to recognise Palestinian statehood, according to an AFP tally. It is now the most powerful and influential European nation to take this step.

The move comes just weeks ahead of a UN conference on the two-state solution, which France’s foreign minister is co-hosting. Macron had already hinted at the decision last month, calling for fresh momentum toward peace and reciprocal recognition between Israel and Palestine.

His announcement follows mounting global outrage over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which, according to Palestinian officials, has killed nearly 60,000 people, mostly civilians. Israel says its offensive is targeting Hamas militants, whose October 2023 attacks left more than 1,200 Israelis dead.

Earlier this week, France joined over two dozen countries in condemning Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid and the deaths of Palestinians attempting to reach food in the besieged territory.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he will speak with German and French counterparts to push for a ceasefire and lay the groundwork for recognising Palestine. “A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state,” Starmer said. 

Some Palestinians welcomed Macron’s words but called for stronger action. “We respect any country that respects our right to exist,” said Mu’in Barghouti, “but will there be practical steps to prove this recognition?” 

Palestinians seek full statehood in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and annexed east Jerusalem — territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 Mideast war. While over 500,000 Israeli settlers now live in the West Bank, most Palestinians remain under Israeli military rule, with only limited autonomy under the Palestinian Authority.

With inputs from AFP, AP