The French president, Emmanuel Macron, announced on Thursday that France will recognize the State of Palestine in September, “faithful to its historical commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East”, joining other Western countries that have recently taken this step, such as Mexico and Spain.
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Currently, more than 140 countries recognize Palestine, although among those who oppose are several powerful Western nations such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Japan, and South Korea.
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Why did Macron choose to recognize Palestine?
“I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September. The urgent need today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian population. Peace is possible,” Macron said through his profile on the social network X, where he attached a letter sent to the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, informing him of this decision.
“An immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza are necessary. It is also necessary to guarantee the demilitarization of Hamas, ensure and rebuild Gaza. And finally, it is necessary to build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and allow it to contribute to the security of everyone in the Middle East by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel," added the President of France.
A few weeks ago, in an interview with RTL radio station, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, had said that France intended to work with the Arab countries in the region “so that they commit to eliminating all obstacles that prevent the creation and existence of the State of Palestine.”
In fact, in June, due to the war between Israel and Iran, France suspended a conference with Saudi Arabia that aimed to discuss the two-state solution for the conflict that has been going on for almost 80 years.
France’s position clashes with that of other European countries, such as Germany, which a few weeks ago stated that the recognition of Palestine would send the wrong signal and that negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza must be concluded first.
Emergency call for Gaza
The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announced that the E3 partners (United Kingdom, France, and Germany) will hold an “emergency call” tomorrow regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli offensive has left nearly 59,600 dead in the Palestinian enclave.
“We will discuss what we can do urgently to stop this slaughter and provide people with the food they desperately need, while uniting all necessary measures to build lasting peace,” Starmer communicated.
Starmer said he “agrees” with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, “on the urgent need for Israel to change its course and allow the entry without delay of the aid urgently needed in Gaza,” stressing that “we are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe.”