NEW YORK: French President Emmanuel Macron received a prolonged standing ovation on Monday as he formally announced France’s recognition of the State of Palestine, calling the move a “historic and necessary” step toward ending the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict and building a durable peace in the Middle East.
Speaking at the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine — co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia — Macron declared that “the time has come” to bring an end to the devastating war in Gaza, secure the release of the remaining 48 Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and revive the long-stalled two-state solution.
“We’ve gathered here because the time has come … The time for peace has come, because we are just a few moments away from no longer being able to seize peace,” Macron said.
The French leader stressed the urgency of halting the war, describing the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza:
“There are hundreds of thousands of people who’ve been displaced, injured, famished, traumatized. Nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza. On the contrary, everything compels us to definitively end it.”
While condemning Israel’s continued offensive, Macron also forcefully denounced Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, which he called “the worst terrorist attack in Israeli history” and “an open wound for the Israeli soul and for our universal conscience.” He paid tribute to the 51 French citizens killed that day, reaffirming France’s unwavering support for Israel’s right to security and its fight against terrorism, including antisemitism.
“Nothing, never, nowhere can justify having recourse to terrorism,” he said.
Recognition of Palestine: Balancing Justice and Security
Invoking the 1947 UN Partition Plan, Macron emphasized the imbalance of promises fulfilled: while the international community had delivered a Jewish state, the parallel pledge of a Palestinian state remained unfulfilled. Quoting Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, he described Palestinians as “a people with a strong history, roots, and dignity” who “never say goodbye to anything.”
Macron stressed that recognizing Palestine does not diminish Israel’s rights but instead supports the political solution necessary for both peoples to live securely:
“The recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people takes nothing away from the rights of the people of Israel. A life is a life.”
He recalled his encounters with victims on both sides of the conflict, urging empathy and reciprocity.
A Wider International Movement
France’s announcement aligned with a growing international shift. Macron confirmed that Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Portugal, the UK, and San Marino had also responded to the call to recognize Palestinian statehood.
“This recognition is a defeat for Hamas,” Macron insisted. “It is a defeat for all those who ferment antisemitism, nurture anti-Zionist obsessions, and who want the destruction of the State of Israel.”
The New York Declaration
Alongside Saudi Arabia, France presented the New York Declaration at the UN General Assembly, which was adopted by a large majority. The declaration laid out three key pillars:
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Immediate release of hostages and a Gaza ceasefire – with Macron urging Israel not to obstruct efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.
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Stabilization and reconstruction of Gaza – through a transitional administration involving the Palestinian Authority and young Palestinian leaders, backed by international partners to disarm Hamas.
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Comprehensive reform of Palestinian governance – with commitments by President Mahmoud Abbas to disarm Hamas, exclude it from political life, combat hate speech, and renew democratic institutions.
France pledged to closely monitor implementation, contribute to an international stabilization mission, and support the professionalization of Palestinian security forces. Macron also warned that France and its EU partners would condition future cooperation with Israel on its willingness to end the Gaza war and re-enter peace talks.
Toward a Dual Recognition
Macron outlined his vision of a sovereign, independent, and demilitarized Palestinian state living alongside Israel in mutual recognition:
“It’s thanks to this path that we will get a State of Palestine, sovereign, independent and demilitarized, bringing together all of its territories, recognizing Israel and being recognized by Israel.”
He urged Arab and Muslim states that still do not recognize Israel to commit to doing so once Palestine is established.
“Together, we will demonstrate dual recognition for the benefit of peace and security of all in the Middle East.”
Concluding his address, Macron declared:
“The time has come to do justice to the Palestinian people, and thus to recognize the State of Palestine — a brotherly country, a neighbor in Gaza, in the West Bank, and in Jerusalem. The time has come to cast out the vile face of terrorism and to forge peace.”
Quoting slain Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Macron reminded delegates:
“‘I fought so long as there was no chance of peace.’ But today, there is such a chance. Today, here, 142 states are proposing this peace.”
Palestinian and International Responses
Speaking via video link from Ramallah, President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Hamas attacks and reiterated that only the Palestinian Authority would govern Gaza.
“Hamas and other factions must surrender their weapons. What we want is one unified state under one law, with one legitimate security force,” he said.
Addressing Israelis directly, Abbas appealed for peace:
“Our future and yours hangs on peace. Enough violence and war. Let the people in our region live in durable peace and good neighborliness.”
Other leaders joined the chorus of recognition:
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Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa hailed Portugal’s recognition of Palestine as a continuation of a long-standing policy supporting the two-state solution.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a day after his country’s recognition, lamented decades of “opportunities not taken, compromises rejected, and a cycle of violence that has crushed generations,” urging a cooperative peace plan excluding Hamas.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused Israel of seeking to block Palestinian statehood but insisted recognition empowers moderates: “It doesn’t legitimize terrorism.”
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez delivered one of the most forceful interventions, warning that recognition is meaningless if Palestinians continue to face annihilation:
“There is no solution possible when the population of one of those two states is the victim of a genocide.”
Sanchez framed the conference as an “act of moral rebellion against indifference” and a collective commitment to halt brutality.
A Historic Turning Point
The recognition of Palestine by France and its allies marks one of the most significant diplomatic shifts in decades. While challenges remain — from Hamas’ disarmament to Israeli security concerns — Macron’s bold move has placed new momentum behind the two-state solution.
For the first time in years, international leaders voiced not just solidarity but concrete commitments to end the cycle of violence and restore hope for peace in the Middle East.
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