France’s President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly in September 2025. The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed his support to a two-state solution as a path for lasting peace.
"Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine," - Macron stated in a post on social media.
"The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza," he wrote.
Following to Macron's announcement, the UK Prime Minister stated that "We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people."
He added that "the suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible..., we are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe."
Today, situation in Gaza will be on the agenda of E3 meeting, discussing urgent steps to press Israel to change course and "stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace."
Starmer urged Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages and expressed strong support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this.
"A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis," - UK Prime Minister stated.
While Macron’s announcement was welcomed by the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, and countries including Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the move, describing it as a step that “rewards terror” and warning that a Palestinian state under current conditions would pose a threat to Israel’s security.
“Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel,” Netanyahu added.
Macron, who announced the decision on X, also shared a letter addressed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, confirming France’s intention to proceed with the recognition of Palestine and to encourage other international partners to do the same.
"There is no alternative. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. We must also ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, secure and rebuild Gaza. And finally, we must build the State of Palestine, guarantee its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the region," - Macron said in his statement.
Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry praised France's decision, saying it "reaffirms the international community's consensus on the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state".
Responding to Macron's announcement, Abbas' deputy Hussein al-Sheikh thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the significant efforts it had made alongside France to recognize the State of Palestine.
He added: "This position reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state."
Al-Sheikh thanked UK Prime Minister for his stance and stated: "We hope that Mr. Starmer will take a progressive step by recognizing the Palestinian state and exert further pressure to halt the humanitarian catastrophe being exerted on our Palestinian people as a result of the ongoing war of extermination being waged against them."
Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the move as "a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism," adding that Israel would not allow the establishment of a "Palestinian entity that would harm our security, endanger our existence."
In response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States "strongly rejects plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly."
In a post on X, he said, "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th."
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