France Has Officially Recognized Palestine As A State, Leading A New Wave Of Countries At The UN
Five other countries, including Belgium and Luxembourg, also announced their recognition of the State of Palestine at the summit.
France has formally recognized a Palestinian state, with French President Emmanuel Macron making the announcement at the UN ahead of the UN General Assembly.
"Time has come,” Macron said at a high-level summit co-organized by France and Saudi Arabia on Monday, Sept. 22. “This is why, loyal to my country’s historic commitment to the Middle East, for peace among Israeli people and Palestinian people, I declare that France recognizes today the state of Palestine.”
“We must do everything within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security,” he added.
His speech was received with loud and lengthy applause from the more than 140 leaders in attendance, AP reported.
Five other countries — Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and Monaco — also attended the summit dedicated to reviving efforts for a two-state solution and announced they are also recognizing the state of Palestine.
Germany, Italy and Japan took part in the conference but did not recognize Palestine, according to AP.
In his speech, Macron also shared a framework for creating a “renewed Palestinian Authority” that would involve an international stabilization force that would help prepare the Palestinian Authority (PA) — which governs parts of the occupied West Bank — to take over governing Gaza.
He also said that France would open an embassy in Palestine when there is a ceasefire and all the hostages are freed.
The move comes just a day after the leaders of UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal also formally recognized the state of Palestine.
About 147 out of 193 UN member states now formally recognize Palestine, according to Al Jazeera.
Israel, which boycotted the summit along with the US, called the event a “circus”, with Israel’s ambassador to the UN refusing to rule out Israel annexing the West Bank, which it already illegally occupies.
Flavie Chen
Cherry Mohamed
Kassy Cho
