French President Emmanuel Macron announced during the UN General Assembly that the country officially recognizes the State of Palestine.
“The recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people takes nothing away from the rights of the people of Israel, who France supported from day one and to respect of which it is strictly committed,” Macron declared. “Precisely because we are convinced that this recognition is the only solution that will allow Israel to live in peace.”
Charles Kushner, the U.S. Ambassador to France, condemned the move, stating, “Hamas is celebrating today.”
Macron’s comments follow the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia formally recognizing a Palestinian state.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the “historic decision, taken alongside some of our closest allies, to recognise a Palestinian State, reflects our unwavering commitment to a two-state solution and affirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.”
Earlier this month, the United Nations General Assembly voted 142-10 to endorse a declaration for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Twelve countries abstained from the vote.
According to an article from the UN, the New York Declaration “involves an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, release of all hostages held there, and the establishment of a Palestinian State that is both viable and sovereign” and “calls for the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from governance in Gaza, normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab countries, as well as collective security guarantees.”
Counselor of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Morgan Ortagus, noted that the declaration “fails to recognize the reality that Hamas’ terrorism on October 7 was the reason this war was necessary,” and further condemned that it contained language endorsing the “right of return,” leading to the “demographic death of Israel as a Jewish state.”
