France recognises Palestine as an independent state

Amid the ongoing Gaza war, France has officially recognised Palestine as an independent state to bolster support for a two-state solution in the Middle East. On September 22, French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement at the opening of a high-level meeting at the United Nations. Despite opposition from Israel and the United States, several other countries are also expected to follow suit.

Macron’s declaration drew loud applause from more than 140 heads of state and government present. During the announcement at the UN General Assembly hall, members of the Palestinian delegation, including their ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour, stood and clapped.

French President Emmanuel Macron said, “In line with my country’s historic commitment to peace in the Middle East and between Israelis and Palestinians, I declare that today France recognises Palestine as a state.”

Alongside France, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco also announced recognition of Palestine. A day earlier, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal had done the same. However, Germany, Italy, and Japan, though attending the conference, refrained from recognising Palestine.

Observers believe that given Israel’s ongoing large-scale military campaign in Gaza and its continued settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, this round of diplomatic recognition will have no immediate effect on the ground situation.