France to Recognize Palestinian State, Macron Announces

French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that France will officially recognize the State of Palestine in September, making it the first country in the G7 to do so. This announcement is set to be formally made during a session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Macron took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his views, emphasizing the urgent need for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the rescue of the civilian population. He stated, “Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”

The decision has been met with a variety of reactions. Palestinian officials welcomed Macron’s announcement, viewing it as a vital step toward recognition of their statehood. In contrast, Netanyahu criticized the move, stating it “rewards terror,” especially in light of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The U.S. government also expressed strong disapproval of Macron’s announcement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the decision as “reckless.” The G7 group, which includes France, the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Germany, Canada, and Japan, has yet to include any other member in recognizing a Palestinian state.

In his statement, Macron reiterated France’s commitment to a “just and lasting peace in the Middle East.” He called for the demilitarization of Hamas and stressed the importance of rebuilding Gaza. He also expressed the need to ensure that a viable Palestinian state recognizes Israel, contributing to the overall security of the region.

A letter confirming Macron’s decision was sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. In response, Abbas’ deputy, Hussein al-Sheikh, stated that this position reflects France’s dedication to international law and support for the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

Currently, over 140 of the 193 UN member states recognize the State of Palestine, with a few EU countries like Spain and Ireland among them.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans for an “emergency call” with French and German leaders to discuss urgent actions to halt the violence. He highlighted statehood as an “inalienable right of the Palestinian people” and suggested that a ceasefire could pave the way for recognizing a Palestinian state and achieving a two-state solution.

Starmer’s remarks come amid increasing pressure from within his party for the U.K. to align with France’s decision. The foreign affairs committee of the U.K. Parliament has called for immediate recognition of Palestine, urging that such rights should not be conditional.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry has also praised France’s decision, affirming the international community’s consensus on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.

The UN’s Palestinian refugee agency has reported alarming rates of malnutrition among children in Gaza City, with calls from international aid organizations for immediate intervention.