French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will recognize Palestine as an independent state, stating an official declaration would be made at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
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“The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. We must immediately implement a ceasefire, release all hostages, and provide massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
We must also ensure the demilitarization of Hamas and secure and rebuild Gaza.
Finally, we must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that, by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the Middle East,” Macron stated.
Palestinian officials welcomed Macron's decision, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, calling it a "reward for terror" following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
“A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it. Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel,” Netanyahu stated.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Emmanuel Macron, stating that the French president's "reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace."
“It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th,” Rubio wrote on X.
Currently, over 145 of the 193 UN member states recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, including Georgia. In 2024, Norway, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Armenia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago recognized Palestine. Mexico followed suit in 2025.
