France has announced its decision to officially recognize Palestine as a state, with President Emmanuel Macron confirming the move during a public statement on Friday, www.naijnaira.com reports.
Macron told reporters the step aligns with France’s long-standing position on securing sustainable peace across the Middle East, according to Scroll.
He emphasized that halting the ongoing conflict in Gaza and delivering immediate aid to civilians must take precedence.
France is expected to formalize this recognition during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in September.
This would make France the first country among the G7 nations to officially grant statehood recognition to Palestine.
Macron reiterated the need for a ceasefire in Gaza, demanded the release of all hostages, and urged for humanitarian access to the strip.
“We must also ensure the demilitarisation of Hamas, secure and rebuild Gaza,” Macron stated.
He added, “And finally, we must build the State of Palestine, guarantee its viability and ensure that by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the region.”
“There is no alternative,” he declared.
The French announcement drew a sharp rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed it “rewards terror” and could encourage another Iran-backed group.
The U.S. also disapproved of the decision, calling it damaging to peace efforts and aligning it with terrorist propaganda.
American politician Marco Rubio criticized Paris on social media, saying, “It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.”
Hostilities between Israel and Hamas reignited in October 2023 when militants stormed southern Israel, killing over 1,200 and taking hostages.
Since then, Israel has launched sweeping military actions in Gaza, with death tolls surpassing 61,000 and humanitarian conditions reaching crisis levels.
Relief agencies have warned that restrictions on aid are pushing the region toward famine.
Ceasefire discussions between both parties remain ongoing but have struggled to reach lasting agreements due to significant disagreements.
Article updated 21 hours ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
