French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France will officially recognize the State of Palestine, a landmark shift in French foreign policy driven by the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The decision, revealed in a statement posted on X, positions France as the most prominent European nation to formally acknowledge Palestinian statehood.

Macron stated that the formal recognition will be presented at the United Nations General Assembly in September. "The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved," he wrote, emphasizing the need for peace. "Given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine. Peace is possible."

The move comes amid growing international concern over the dire situation in Gaza, where mounting civilian casualties and starvation have worsened due to an ongoing Israeli blockade. Of the 193 UN member states, at least 142 countries currently recognize or intend to recognize a Palestinian state. However, several influential Western nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, continue to withhold recognition.

In a letter addressed to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to a two-state solution and its longstanding support for Palestinian rights and aspirations. While France has historically advocated for a negotiated resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this unilateral recognition marks a significant departure from its previous stance.

The announcement has drawn global attention as the international community continues to grapple with the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. (ILKHA)