French President Emmanuel Macron announced France's formal recognition of the State of Palestine during a high-profile UN conference on Monday, declaring it a critical step to "pave the way for peace" in the Middle East. The move aligns France with over 140 UN member states that have already recognized Palestinian statehood.
Speaking at the International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, Macron emphasized urgency: "The time has come. We can no longer wait." He stressed the need to preserve the viability of a two-state solution, envisioning "Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security."
Macron outlined conditions for France to establish an embassy in Palestine, including governance reforms, a sustained ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas. The announcement comes amid escalating regional tensions and follows recent diplomatic moves by Spain, Ireland, and Norway to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Analysts suggest this development could influence EU policy debates and investor confidence in Middle East stability. However, questions remain about implementation timelines and Israel's response to growing international pressure.
