Macron at UN: France Recognizes the State of Palestine, the War Must Stop!

(Patria) - French President Emmanuel Macron told the United Nations General Assembly that France recognizes the State of Palestine.

On Sunday, Palestine was officially recognized by Great Britain, Canada and Australia.

"This recognition is a way of confirming that the Palestinian people are not a superfluous people. On the contrary, they are people who never say goodbye to anything. Recognizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people does not take away anything from the rights of the Israeli people, which France has supported from day one. Precisely because we are convinced that this recognition is the only solution that will bring peace to Israel," Macron said.

Macron called for the release of prisoners held by Hamas, and said it is time to stop the war and the bombing of Gaza.

"In 1947, this Assembly decided to partition the Mandate for Palestine (the official name for the British colonial administration over Palestine, which encompassed today's Israel and Palestine, ed.) between two states, one Jewish and one Arab, thereby recognizing the right of each to self-determination. The international community dedicated the State of Israel there, fulfilling the destiny of this people. Finally, after millennia of wandering and persecution, such a beautiful democracy was founded there. The promise of an Arab state remains unfulfilled to this day," Macron recalled.

He said it is true that there is a collective responsibility for the failure so far to build a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, and that this is precisely the proof imposed on us on October 7, 2023.

"Nothing more justifies the continuation of the war in Gaza. Nothing. On the contrary, everything demands that it finally be stopped. Now, because it was not done earlier, to save lives, the lives of Israeli captives still held in terrible conditions, the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians overwhelmed by hunger, suffering, fear of death, and grief for their loved ones. For almost two years now, the denial of the humanity of others and the sacrifice of human life have prevailed. We have been saying this since the first day of the war in Gaza: life is worth a life," Macron said.

Macron conditioned the opening of the French embassy in Palestine on the release of all captives held by Hamas. However, he also stated that they will be no less harsh towards Israel.

"I also expect that our Arab and Muslim partners, who have not yet done so, will fulfill their obligations to recognize the State of Israel and have normal relations with it," Macron said.

For French President Emmanuel Macron, "Israelis and Palestinians live in a double solitude."

"In the solitude of Israelis after the historical nightmare of October 7, 2023, and in the solitude of Palestinians at the end of their strength in this endless war. The time has come, because the worst can happen," Macron said.

"There is a fear that the Abraham Accords or Camp David will be called into question by Israeli actions and that peace will become impossible in the Middle East for a long time. Therefore, we bear a historical responsibility. We must do everything to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security," Macron called before the UN.