France set to recognise Palestinian state at UN

France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, adding that he hoped it would help bring peace to the region.

- JOHN IRISH

Mr Macron, who announced the decision on X, published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas confirming France’s intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition and work to convincing other partners to follow suit.

“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine,” Mr Macron said.

“I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September.”

France, home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities, will become the first major Western country to recognise a Palestinian state, potentially giving greater momentum to a movement so far dominated by smaller nations that are generally more critical of Israel.

The announcement sparked anger from Israel and is likely to get a tough response from Washington.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Mr Macron’s decision saying that such a move “rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy”.