Fourteen Countries Join France in Push Towards Recognizing Palestine

France and 14 other nations yesterday signed a declaration that suggests a wave of recognitions of an independent Palestinian state could take place in the coming months.

- Andrew Roth

The New York declaration, which was published by France's foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, said the signatories had "already recognised, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognise the state of Palestine".

They include Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino, each of which has not yet recognised an independent Palestinian state. Other signatories that have include Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain.

Emmanuel Macron, France's president, said last week that his country would recognise Palestinian statehood in the near future.

Yesterday's declaration was published before the end of a three-day UN conference on reviving a two-state solution. It said the states would "reiterate our unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace".