France’s president unveiled this decision a day after the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal made similar declarations.
French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Paris has formally acknowledged the Palestinian state during remarks made at a UN summit addressing a two-state solution in New York on Monday.
According to Macron, acknowledging Palestinian statehood represents the “sole viable solution for Israel to achieve lasting peace,” describing the action as a “defeat for Hamas.” He further stated, “It is imperative that we exert every effort to safeguard the fundamental possibility of a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully and securely.”
Macron further clarified that this recognition “in no way detracts from the entitlements of the Israeli populace, whom France has consistently championed since its inception.”
The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal formally acknowledged Palestine on Sunday. This move occurs amidst increasing international pressure on Israel, stemming from the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Macron extended his gratitude to the countries that have recognized Palestine, asserting that they “made the responsible decision, the imperative decision, the decision to embrace peace.”
The French president remarked, “No progress can be made unless the Palestinian authorities completely embrace our reinvigorated objective, enabling us to ultimately realize the two-state solution.”
Prior to this month, the General Assembly decisively endorsed a resolution advocating for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Washington and West Jerusalem found themselves in opposition to the measure, accompanied by only eight other nations, among them the distant Pacific island states of Palau, Tonga, Micronesia, and Nauru.
West Jerusalem initiated its military actions following Hamas’ incursion on October 7, 2023, an event that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and over 250 individuals being taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent imposition of a blockade on Gaza and extensive military offensive have reportedly led to the deaths of more than 65,000 people, as per Gazan health authorities. Furthermore, an independent UN commission recently published conclusions characterizing the ongoing situation in Gaza as a genocide.