France recognises Palestinian state

New York [US], September 23: France has recognised a Palestinian state, joining several Western countries in doing so, ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York.
"France today recognises a State of Palestine," President Emmanuel Macron told the UN summit as the Palestinian delegation led an ovation, saying he was supporting "peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people".
The Palestinian Authority hailed the French move as a "historic and courageous decision".
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomes the recognition of the State of Palestine by the friendly Republic of France, considering it a historic and courageous decision that is consistent with international law and United Nations resolutions and supports ongoing efforts to achieve peace and implement the two-state solution," the PA's foreign ministry in Ramallah said in a statement.
Recognition by Australia, Britain, Canada and Portugal on Sunday piled pressure on Israel as it intensifies its genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 65,300 Palestinians, and turned the Palestinian enclave to ruins.
The United States, Israel's closest ally, has criticised the recognition by Western governments, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying the move will "embolden [Hamas]" and make it harder to end the war.
Palestine is expected to top the agenda of the UNGA, to be attended by more than 140 world leaders. But Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas won't be able to attend, as the US has denied him a visa.
Before announcing France's recognition of a Palestinian state, Macron told the UN the time has come to stop the war in Gaza and free the remaining 48 hostages detained by Hamas.
He said the world is just a few moments away from no longer being able to seize peace, and adds: "We can no longer wait."
Macron condemned the 7 October attacks and said he wants to see peace in the region created by having two states living side-by-side.
"Nothing justifies the ongoing war", Macron said, adding that "everything compels us" to bring it to a definitive end.
Macron called for a transitional administration in Gaza involving the Palestinian Authority, that will be tasked with overseeing the dismantling of Hamas.
He said France is ready to contribute to a "stabilisation mission" in Gaza, raising the prospect of an international security presence in the territory.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud addressed the UN on behalf of the country's leader.
He thanked Macron for recognising a Palestinian state and reiterated that a two-state solution is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.
France and Saudi Arabia hosted the one-day summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a day before the start of the General Debate, both of which will be heavily focused on Israel's war on Gaza and the elusive two-state solution.
At the UN headquarters in New York, world leaders were to convene on Monday to revive the long-stalled notion amid warnings that a contiguous Palestinian state could "vanish altogether" as a result of Israel's hegemonic moves in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
France'sofficial recognition of a Palestinian state came one day after the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal all recognised Palestinian statehood in historic moves despite vehement opposition from Israel and the United States.
Israel and its top allies are boycotting the summit, with Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, describing the major multilateral event as a "circus" and sticking to Israel's common refrain that such moves "reward terrorism".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under heavy domestic political pressure amid the surge in recognition for a state of Palestine. Israeli media report his far-right government is considering partial or full annexation of the occupied West Bank in response, but that Netanyahu needs US support and cover, which he will seek while in New York for the UNGA.
Source: Qatar Tribune