PARIS, Sept 23: France has officially recognised a Palestinian state, joining a growing list of nations pressing for a two-state solution, the BBC reported.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that “the time for peace has come” and urged an end to the war in Gaza. France, along with Saudi Arabia, hosted a one-day summit on the sidelines of the UN session to discuss steps toward a negotiated settlement.
According to the BBC, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra and San Marino are expected to follow suit after the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal recognised Palestine earlier this week. G7 members Germany, Italy and the United States did not attend the summit.
International pressure on Israel is mounting amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and continuing settlement activity in the West Bank. Israel argues that recognition effectively rewards Hamas for its 7 October 2023 attack, which killed around 1,200 people and led to more than 250 hostages being taken.
The BBC cites Gaza’s health ministry, run by Hamas, as reporting over 65,000 Palestinian deaths since the start of Israel’s military response. Israeli forces are still engaged in operations in Gaza City, where famine was confirmed last month.
Macron urged the release of all remaining Israeli hostages and warned of the “peril of endless wars,” saying peace must be built on justice and coexistence between Israel and a future Palestinian state.
Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan also reiterated that a two-state solution was the only way to end decades of conflict. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced a new EU fund for Gaza’s reconstruction, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the situation “morally, legally and politically intolerable,” the BBC said.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the summit via video after the US revoked his visa, called for a permanent ceasefire and insisted Hamas should hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, according to the BBC. He also condemned the October attack and appealed directly to Israelis, saying, “Our future and yours depends on peace.”