France will recognize a Palestinian state, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in an X/Twitter post on Thursday.
“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,” wrote Macron.
He continued, stating he would make the solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
“The urgency today is to end the war in Gaza and to provide aid to the civilian population. Peace is possible,” he added.
Macron further stressed that, “there must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. It is also necessary to ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, secure and rebuild Gaza.”
“Finally, it is essential to build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and enable it, by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East,” he said.
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X that this declaration proves Hamas wrong, as Hamas has always rejected a two-state solution. "It supports the side of peace against that of war," he said.
US President Donald Trump dismissed Macron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state. "What he says doesn't matter," Trump told reporters at the White House. "He's a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn't carry weight."
Palestinian leadership must recognize Israel at the same time
The recognition of a Palestinian state must occur simultaneously with the recognition of Israel by the new entity, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in response.
"A Palestinian state that does not recognize Israel means that the problem will not be resolved," Tajani told a meeting of his conservative Forza Italia party in Rome.
Reuters contributed to this report.