Macron says France will recognise Palestinian state in September

(Patria) - France will recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday, agencies reported.

"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. I will officially announce this at the United Nations General Assembly in September," the French head of state wrote on X and Instagram.

Including France, 142 countries now recognise Palestinian statehood, although Israel and the United States strongly oppose recognition. France would be the most significant European power to recognise a Palestinian state.

"The urgent priority today is ending the war in Gaza and saving the civilian population," Macron wrote. "We must finally build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability and enable it, by accepting its demilitarisation and full recognition of Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East."

Hussein al-Sheikh, deputy president of Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority, welcomed France's intention to recognise the State of Palestine, thanking Macron.

"This stance reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the French decision "rewards terror" and poses an existential threat to Israel.

In a statement, Netanyahu said this move "risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza has become," which would be "a launch pad for the destruction of Israel – not for living in peace alongside it."

"Let us be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel. They seek a state instead of Israel," he added.

Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin strongly condemned the French move, calling it "a black mark on French history and direct aid to terrorism."

Levin, who is also Minister of Justice, said the French "shameful decision" means it is now "time to apply Israeli sovereignty" over the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, Al Arabiya reported.