France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan drew angry rebukes from Israel and the United States.

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

Middle East Conflict

French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that France will recognize the state of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. Macron made the announcement on social media, emphasizing France's commitment to a two-state solution and the urgent need to end the conflict in Gaza and provide humanitarian aid.

The move has received praise from Palestinian officials and residents, who see it as a significant step forward. However, Israel and the United States have strongly condemned the decision, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing it as a reward for terror. France joins a growing list of countries recognizing Palestine, following similar actions by Spain, Norway, and Ireland.

Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state

The time and place is set. France will recognise the state of Palestine in September at the United Nations. After teasing the prospect for months, France's President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement on social media. True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I've decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine. I will make the solemn announcement at the UN General Assembly next September. The urgency today is to end the war in Gaza and provide aid to the civilian population. Peace is possible. As a supporter of the two-state solution, Macron has repeatedly defended the merits of his approach, for the Palestinians but also for the Israelis. I believe in the future of a two-state solution as the basis for a regional security architecture that will allow Israel to live in peace and security with its neighbours. I believe in a need to unite our voices in Paris, London and everywhere else to recognise the state of Palestine and initiate this political dynamic which is the only one consistent with the prospect of peace. The UK has not yet committed either way to the French President's invitation, but both the US and Israel are firmly opposed to such a move. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced it as a reward for terror. We strongly condemn President Macron's decision to recognise the Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7th massacre. Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. The Palestinian Vice President however hailed Emmanuel Macron's announcement, as did Palestinians living in the West Bank. This is a very important step and we have been waiting for it for a long time. We thank the Republic of France for this decision and we hope it translates into action. In total, 147 countries recognised the state of Palestine. This number has been growing. Last year, nine countries including Spain, Norway and Ireland formally recognised the state, each time drawing strong condemnation from Israel.

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Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state

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