In a bold diplomatic shift, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will officially recognise Palestine as a state, joining over 140 nations that already do so. The move comes amid growing global outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands face starvation as the war with Israel rages on.
Macron made the announcement on Thursday via a post on social media platform X, stating that the formal declaration would be made at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.
“The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,” he wrote.
France’s decision has drawn sharp condemnation from Israel, which has long opposed international recognition of Palestinian statehood. Reacting swiftly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the move as dangerous and counterproductive.
“We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision,” Netanyahu said.
“Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel not to live in peace beside it.”
