France will officially recognize a Palestinian state in September, President Emmanuel Macron has said.
In a post on X, Macron said that the formal announcement would be made in a session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
He said, “Today’s immediate requirement is to end the war in Gaza and the civilian population is to be saved. Peace is possible. We need to have an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages, and large -scale human assistance for the people of Gaza,” he wrote.
Palestinian officials welcomed Macron’s move, while Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin described it as “direct assistance for terrorism”.
In his Thursday post on X, Macron wrote: “The Middle East is true for his historical commitment to a equitable and permanent peace, I have decided that France will recognize the state of Palestine.
“We should also guarantee the demonetisation of Hamas, and Gaza should be safe and reconstructed.
“Finally, we must build the state of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that by accepting its disintegration and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the safety of all in the Middle East. There is no option.”
Macron also attached a letter to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmood Abbas, confirming his decision.
Reacting to Macron’s announcement, according to the AFP news agency, Abbas Deputy Hussain Al-Sheikh said, “This situation reflects France’s commitment to international law and self-determination for the rights of Palestinians and its support for the establishment of our independent state”.
Currently, the state of Palestine is recognized by 147 out of 193 member states of the United Nations.
Some European Union countries including Spain are among them. But Israel’s chief supporters, the US and its colleagues have not recognized the Palestinian state.
