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PULSE POINTS
❓WHAT HAPPENED: French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that he will recognize Palestinian statehood.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Emmanuel Macron, Israel, Palestinians, Hamas.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Macron made the announcement in July on X (formerly Twitter), with a formal announcement to be made in September at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
💬KEY QUOTE: “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.” — Emmanuel Macron.
🎯IMPACT: The announcement is a major policy shift from the Western European country with the largest Jewish and Muslim populations.
IN FULL
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will recognize “Palestine” as a state, formalizing this recognition at a September United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Macron said, “The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved.”
“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 [to] 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 added.
Macron has supported Israel’s right to defend itself since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks on the Jewish State, and has frequently condemned anti-Semitism—a significant problem in France, due to its large Muslim population. However, he has also expressed frustration regarding Israel’s conduct in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
More than 140 countries, over a dozen in Europe, already recognize Palestinian statehood. France’s decision carries particular weight as it has both the largest Jewish and Muslim populations in Western Europe, meaning conflicts in the Middle East often lead to protests and tensions at home. Additionally, it is a leading NATO and European Union (EU) member and a nuclear power.
Last month, Macron reaffirmed his “determination to recognize the State of Palestine” and called for “a broader movement toward a two-state solution,” while acknowledging the importance of recognizing Israel and its right to security.
France’s move follows the U.S. exiting ceasefire talks in Qatar, accusing Hamas of acting in bad faith.
Image via Wikimedia Commons.
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