France to officially recognise Palestinian state in September, Emmanuel Macron announces
The recognition will be officially declared during the United Nations General Assembly session in September, marking a significant shift in the diplomatic landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
France will become the first G7 country to formally recognise a Palestinian state, President Emmanuel Macron has announced.
The recognition will be officially declared during the United Nations General Assembly session in September, marking a significant shift in the diplomatic landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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“The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” Macron stated in a poster shared on X on Thursday night.
He added that France’s decision aligns with its long-standing commitment to a lasting peace in the Middle East.
“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 wrote.
The move was welcomed by Palestinian officials and Hamas but sparked sharp criticism from Israel and the United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Macron’s announcement, saying, “We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the 7 October massacre”.
“A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel, not to live in peace beside it. Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel.”
Macron outlined that the path to peace must include guarantees of Hamas’ disarmament, the rebuilding of Gaza, and the recognition of Israel.
“We must also guarantee the demilitarisation of Hamas, and secure and rebuild Gaza. Finally, we must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the Middle East. There is no alternative,” he stated.
A letter confirming the decision was also sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
In response, senior Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh said, “This position reflects France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state.”
Hamas welcomed the move, describing it as a “positive step in the right direction” and urged other countries to follow suit.
The United States (US), however, rejected the announcement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labelled it “reckless” and criticised it for undermining peace efforts.
The UK also stopped short of offering immediate recognition, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer signalled a shift in tone.
He announced plans for an emergency call with French and German leaders to address the Gaza crisis and said that a ceasefire would “put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution”.
The PM added that statehood is “an inalienable right of the Palestinian people”. Starmer’s statement came amid mounting pressure at home.
A majority of members of the UK’s foreign affairs committee have now called for the immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, saying it should happen “while there is still a state to recognise.”
In a report, the committee stressed, “An inalienable right should not be made conditional.”
Saudi Arabia also applauded France’s stance, calling it a reaffirmation of the global consensus on the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood.
Currently, more than 140 of the 193 United Nations (UN) member states recognise the State of Palestine, including several European Union (EU) countries such as Spain and Ireland.
France’s decision adds further pressure on other major powers, especially within the G7, to reconsider their positions.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of an escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to the Gaza health ministry, at least 59,106 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the October 7 assault by Hamas that left 1,200 Israelis dead and over 250 taken hostage. Much of the territory has been destroyed.
The UN’s Palestinian refugee agency warned on Thursday that one in five children in Gaza City is now malnourished, with numbers increasing daily.
Over 100 aid and human rights organisations have raised alarm over widespread hunger in the region, calling on global powers to intervene.
Israel continues to deny that a siege exists and blames Hamas for the humanitarian situation.
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