French President Emmanuel Macron announced on the 24th that France will announce its recognition of the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. France’s move is significant in the context of global outrage over the famine in Gaza caused by the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas; Israel immediately condemned France’s decision.
US and Israel recall delegations, Gaza ceasefire talks halted
Reuters reported that after France announced that it would recognize the State of Palestine, the United States and Israel recalled their respective negotiating delegations, bringing Gaza ceasefire talks to a standstill.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff criticized Hamas for “lack of sincerity”; Hamas was surprised by Witkoff’s statement and said Hamas has always welcomed mediation and is open to a comprehensive agreement.
Macron wrote on the social platform “X Platform” and Instagram on the 24th: “I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine and keep its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. I will officially announce it at the United Nations General Assembly in September.”
The Washington Post and AFP reported that France will become the first Group of Seven (G7) to recognize the State of Palestine. Although Israel, the United States, Britain and Japan strongly oppose or do not recognize the statehood of Palestine, the State of Palestine has been recognized by 142 countries including France, Russia, China and India.
Macron wrote: “The priority is to end the war in Gaza and save civilians.”
Hussein al-Sheikh, deputy to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, thanked France, saying that “President Macron’s position reflects France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.”
The Associated Press reported that Gaza is in flames and the humanitarian crisis is tragic. France’s symbolic move puts strong diplomatic pressure on Israel; France will become the largest Western country and European power to recognize Palestine, which may play a role in setting an example.
Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the occupied West Bank, annexed East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, which are territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War, but the Israeli government and most of its politicians have long opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement saying, “We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision, which encourages terrorism and may give birth to another Iranian proxy, just like Gaza. In this case, the State of Palestine will become a springboard to annihilate Israel, rather than peaceful coexistence.”
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin criticized France’s move as “direct aid to terrorism” and called it “a stain on French history.”
Macron has often publicly condemned anti-Semitism after Hamas attacked Israel two years ago, and has gradually become frustrated with Israel’s war in Gaza.
The 21-month war between Israel and Palestine has caused tens of thousands of deaths, the people of Gaza are suffering from famine, and global anger is gradually rising; Macron called on both Israel and Palestine to immediately cease fire, release hostages, provide large-scale humanitarian assistance to Gaza civilians, and advocate the demilitarization of Hamas and assist the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Macron wrote, “Upholding France’s historical commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided to let France recognize the State of Palestine. Peace is possible.”
