French President Emmanuel Macron took an unprecedented diplomatic step by announcing his plans to officially recognize Palestinian statehood. In an emblematic statement shared on the social platform X, he emphasized the strategic importance of this decision.
In an official letter to Palestinian leader Abu Mazen, Macron declared that the recognition ceremony will be carried out during the UN General Assembly in September. "Our historical commitment to a just peace in the Middle East motivates us to take this step," the president said.
Among the key priorities of the French initiative are an immediate cessation of military actions in Gaza, providing humanitarian aid, and releasing detainees. Macron emphasized the need for Hamas demilitarization and creating conditions for lasting regional stability.
According to an analysis by the French news agency, 142 countries worldwide have so far recognized Palestinian statehood. Countries like Ireland, Spain, Norway, and Slovenia have already taken similar steps, further legitimizing international support.
The upcoming international conference at the UN headquarters in New York, jointly organized by France and Saudi Arabia, aims to restore the idea of a two-state solution. Initially planned earlier, the conference was postponed due to regional military conflicts.
Reactions from the Israeli side were sharp and categorical. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described the decision as a "moral collapse," while the current Minister of Justice Yarov Levin called it a "black mark in history".
Political leaders from the ruling coalition in Israel's War Cabinet qualified the French initiative as a "reward for terrorism". Avigdor Lieberman emphasized that such recognition represents a direct encouragement of extremist actions.
Macron, however, remains unwavering, stating that an alternative to the peace process does not exist. "Our role is to prove that dialogue and mutual understanding are possible," the French president was emphatic.
The international community awaits the development of events, with France's diplomatic initiative being viewed as a potential catalyst for future negotiations between the conflicting parties.