Paris [France], July 25 (ANI): French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France would officially recognize the State of Palestine, a move he said would be completed at the United Nations General Assembly in September, amid mounting international concern over the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, according to France 24.
Macron stated in a message on social media that the priority right now is for the conflict in Gaza to cease and the civilian population to be protected. He said, "Given its long-standing commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have chosen to recognize the state of Palestine. " Peace is possible.
According to France 24, the decision comes amid rising concern among Macron with Israel's treatment of Gaza, particularly in recent months. While Macron first expressed strong support for Israel following the Hamas assaults on October 7, 2023, he has subsequently called for a truce and more humanitarian aid.
The French president also released a letter addressed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on the decision. In response, Abbas' deputy, Hussein alSheikh, appreciated France's proposal to recognize a Palestinian state. This stance represents France's dedication to international law as well as its support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the creation of our own independent state, according to Sheikh, as reported by France 24.
France is the largest and most influential European country to take this move. More than 130 nations have recognized Palestine, including the majority of Middle Eastern, African, Latin American, and Asian countries. However, some countries, like as the United States, Canada, the majority of Western Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, do not.
According to France 24, Macron's choice comes shortly after the United States halted Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, alleging Hamas's lack of good faith. The declaration also comes amid rising worldwide criticism of Israel's prohibitions on assistance to Gaza and the deaths of Palestinians attempting to access food supplies.
France, which has the greatest Jewish and Muslim populations in Western Europe, frequently experiences domestic tensions during Middle Eastern conflicts.
Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister, Yariv Levin, strongly condemned France's acknowledgement of Palestine, calling it a stain on French history and a direct assistance to terrorism. He said that France's deplorable choice indicated that it was time for Israel to extend sovereignty to the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
France 24 reports that Macron's administration has been advocating for a wider push for a two-state solution. The French foreign minister will cohost a UN conference next week to resurrect this idea, with Macron reiterating his commitment to recognize Palestine while maintaining Israel's right to self-defense.
The Palestinians want an independent state in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, which Israel conquered during the 1967 Middle East war. Shortly after that, Israel annexed East Jerusalem and has since established huge settlements in the West Bank, home to over 500,000 Israeli settlers. Approximately 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military control, with restricted autonomy under the Palestinian Authority.
According to France 24, Macron's statement lends considerable impetus to worldwide demands for a solution to the decades-long crisis based on a two-state approach.
