French President Emmanuel Macron has announced France plans to recognize Palestine as a state, possibly in June this year. He shared this plan during an interview on a French television station while visiting Egypt for two days.
During the interview, Macron stated, “Our goal is to chair this conference with Saudi Arabia in June. We aim to finalize reciprocal recognition by several countries.” This conference will be pivotal in advancing discussions of the two-state solution.
A Call for Balance
Macron emphasized the need for a collective effort. He noted, “I will do it because it is fair. I also want to support those who defend Palestine in recognizing Israel.” This approach aims to foster mutual understanding.
Moreover, Macron reiterated France’s commitment to combatting those who deny Israel’s right to exist, specifically mentioning Iran. He affirmed the importance of collective security in the region.
France will chair a two-day UN conference in New York with Saudi Arabia in June. This event seeks to promote the two-state solution following 18 months of conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
Formal recognition of a Palestinian state marks a major policy shift for Paris. This move could strain relations with Israel. Currently, nearly 150 countries recognize Palestine as a state, including Ireland, Norway, and Spain, who made their declarations in May 2024.
Israeli Opposition
Despite growing international support for Palestine, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the two-state solution. He views granting statehood as a “huge reward” for actions taken by Hamas during the recent conflict.
As France moves closer to recognizing Palestine as a state, the international community watches closely. The upcoming conference will play a crucial role in shaping future relations in the region.
