French Government Announces Recognition of Palestine as a State | WPN World People News

The French government officially announced today that it will recognize Palestine as an independent and sovereign state. This move marks a significant shift in France’s stance on the Middle East peace process and could have far-reaching implications for diplomacy across Europe and the world.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated at a press conference held at the Élysée Palace that recognizing Palestine is “an essential step toward lasting peace and the two-state solution,” emphasizing that the decision is “not against Israel, but in support of peace, justice, and international law.”

Macron noted that although the international community has long supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, tangible progress has remained slow. “We can no longer wait. When peace is delayed, justice is compromised,” he said.

France now joins Sweden, Slovenia, and several Latin American countries as a major European nation recognizing the State of Palestine. Following the announcement, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a statement highly praising France, calling the move “a validation of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.”

Israel, on the other hand, expressed deep regret over France’s decision. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the move “will encourage extremism and undermine efforts toward peace.”

To date, more than 140 UN member states have recognized the State of Palestine. France’s decision could prompt more European countries to follow suit. Analysts believe that France’s move will draw renewed international attention to the Israeli-Palestinian issue and may reignite long-stalled peace negotiations.