France will officially recognise a Palestinian state in September, President Emmanuel Macron has said, which will make it the first G7 nation to do so.
In a post on X, Macron said the formal announcement would be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
“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,” he wrote.
Palestinian officials welcomed Macron’s decision, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move “rewards terror” following Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack in Israel.
French President announced that France will formally recognise a Palestinian state during a United Nations meeting in September, becoming the most powerful European country to do so, AFP reported on Friday.
At least 142 countries now recognise or have declared intentions to recognise Palestinian statehood.
However, the move faces strong opposition from Israel and the United States.
“The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian population,” Macron wrote on social media.
We must finally build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability and enable it, by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East,” he added.
Saudi Arabia hails France’s decision
Saudi French President’s “historic” decision to recognise the State of Palestine and called on other countries to follow suit.
“The Kingdom commends this historic decision, which reaffirms the international community’s consensus on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“The Kingdom underscores the importance of continued efforts by states to implement international resolutions and uphold international law,” the ministry added.
