President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
“In keeping with 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 posted on X. “I will solemnly announce this at the United Nations General Assembly in September this year.”
France will become the most influential European nation to take the step, following similar announcements by Ireland, Norway, and Spain. So far, 142 of the 193 UN member states recognise or plan to recognise Palestine.
Macron’s decision comes amid increasing Western condemnation of Israel’s war on Gaza. His letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was praised by PA deputy Hussein al-Sheikh, who said it reflects France’s commitment to international law.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office condemned the move, saying, “Such a move rewards terror.” Defence Minister Israel Katz called it “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism.”