French delight for Palestine

TDT | agencies

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In a landmark move applauded by Gulf Arab states and condemned by Israel and the US, France on Thursday confirmed its decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The announcement, which marks a significant diplomatic shift among Western powers, was met with enthusiastic support from Gulf Arab states and sharp criticism from both Israel and the United States.

France is now the first member of the G7 group of major advanced economies to recognise the State of Palestine.

Welcoming the decision, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states urged more countries to follow France’s lead.

Including France, Palestinian statehood is now recognised by 142 countries, though Israel and the US continue to strongly oppose such recognition.

End the war

“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. I will make a formal announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X and Instagram.

“The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian population,” Macron wrote.

“We must finally build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability and enable it, by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East.”

Historic decision

The Saudi foreign ministry said “the kingdom commends this historic decision, which reaffirms the international community’s consensus on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and to establish their independent state”.

It called on other countries “that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to take similar positive steps”.

A ministerial-level meeting co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia to discuss a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is planned for later this month. Qatar, a key mediator in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on ending the Gaza war, also welcomed the French move.

Its foreign ministry said the move “constitutes significant support for the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people” and “contributes to advancing prospects for achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region”.

The Kuwaiti foreign ministry said it “commended this significant step”.

The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) -- which also includes the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, also praised the move.

Threat to Israel

Macron’s announcement drew immediate anger from Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying it “rewards terror” and poses an existential threat to Israel. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a “reckless decision (that) only serves Hamas propaganda”