French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans for France to recognize the state of Palestine by June, a move that will coincide with an international conference on a two-state solution, which France will co-host with Saudi Arabia. Speaking to France 5 television, Macron emphasized the importance of advancing towards the recognition of Palestine, stating, “We must move towards recognition, and we will do this in the coming months.”
In return, Macron suggested that Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations that have yet to recognize Israel could consider doing so, fostering a more balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Macron clarified that France’s recognition of Palestine would be a key step in encouraging a collective dynamic where both sides, including those advocating for Palestine, would eventually recognize Israel’s right to exist.
Macron’s statement comes after a visit to Egypt, where he met with injured Palestinians in El Arish hospital. He also discussed the plan with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The French president further framed the move as part of France’s ongoing support for the two-state solution, which he argued would help combat those who deny Israel’s existence, particularly Iran. He emphasized that recognizing Palestine would allow France to be “clear in our fight against those who deny Israel’s right to exist.”
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the move as premature, warning that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state would reward terror and bolster Hamas. Meanwhile, Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin welcomed the decision, calling it a step in the right direction for safeguarding Palestinian rights and advancing the two-state solution.
France has long supported a two-state solution, but this formal recognition of Palestine would represent a significant shift in policy, making France the largest European nation to take this step. Nearly 150 countries worldwide already recognize Palestine, including Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Slovenia, particularly in response to the escalation of violence in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
In his comments, Macron condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza, describing the bombing as “a crime” and arguing that it does not contribute to Israel’s long-term security. He also criticized U.S. President Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to create a “riviera of the Middle East,” emphasizing that Gaza is “not a real-estate project.”
