France will recognize a Palestinian state, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in an X/Twitter post on Thursday. “True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,” wrote Macron. He continued, stating he would make the solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
“The urgency today is to end the war in Gaza and to provide aid to the civilian population. Peace is possible,” he added. Macron further stressed that, “there must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. It is also necessary to ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, secure and rebuild Gaza.” “Finally, it is essential to build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and enable it, by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East,” he said.
The Yesha Council - the umbrella organization representing Jewish communities in the West Bank - released a statement demanding that the Israeli government respond to the French President's declaration of recognition of a Palestinian state by applying Israeli sovereignty to Judea and Samaria. "The Knesset supported. Now it's the government's turn. The excuses are over," the organization said.
Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman said on X, "Recognizing a Palestinian state is a reward for terrorism and encouragement for Hamas, an organization that carried out the most horrific massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. This is not justice, it is surrender to terrorism. Justice Minister Yariv Levin said, "French President Macron's decision to recognize the fictitious Palestinian state is a black mark on France's history and direct support for terrorism." (Read More)
