French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will officially recognise a Palestinian state in September. He plans to make a formal declaration at the United Nations General Assembly. This decision has sparked celebration among Palestinians but drawn fierce criticism from Israeli leaders.
Call for Peace and Urgent Ceasefire
In a public message, Macron wrote, “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 also sent a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming France’s decision to recognise Palestine.
France Becomes First G7 Nation to Take This Step
With this move, France will become the first G7 country to officially recognise a Palestinian state. Macron said this recognition should be followed by addressing the militarisation of Hamas. He emphasised the importance of working with international partners to prove that peace in the Middle East is still achievable.
“The French people want peace in the Middle East. It is our responsibility — as French citizens, alongside Israelis, Palestinians, and our European and international partners — to prove that peace is possible,” Macron stated.
Palestinian Authority and Hamas Welcome the Announcement
The announcement was warmly received by both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. Hussein al-Sheikh, deputy to PA President Abbas, said, “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.”
Hamas also described the move as a “positive step” and called on other countries to follow suit. “We consider this a positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people and supporting their legitimate right to self-determination,” the group said.
Israel Strongly Opposes Macron’s Decision
The Israeli government reacted angrily. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the move, calling it a “reward for terror” and claiming it could threaten Israel’s existence. “Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel,” he warned.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar echoed Netanyahu’s concerns, stating, “A Palestinian state will be a Hamas state,” referring to the group’s deadly attack on Israel in October 2023, which sparked the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin also criticised Macron, calling the recognition “direct aid to terrorism” and “a black mark on the history of France.”
Background: What the Palestinians Seek
Palestinians have long demanded an independent state that includes the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza—areas that Israel took control of during the 1967 Middle East war. However, most of Israel’s political leadership remains firmly against recognising Palestinian statehood, especially after Hamas’s 2023 attack.