Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

France has announced that it will officially recognise Palestine as a state in September this year. President Emmanuel Macron said this decision will be formally declared at the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This move will make France the first country among the G7 nations to recognise Palestine as an independent state.

Macron’s Statement on Peace

President Macron explained that his decision was based on France’s long-standing commitment to finding a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. He said that the immediate need is to end the war in Gaza, save innocent lives, and bring peace to the region. Macron called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and urgent humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza who are suffering because of the war.

He added that for true peace, Hamas must be demilitarised, and Gaza should be secured and rebuilt for its people to live safely. Macron believes that by recognising Palestine and ensuring it becomes a peaceful and stable state, the whole Middle East region will be safer.

Support from Palestinian Leaders

The Palestinian leadership welcomed France’s decision. Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior official, said that this shows France respects international law and supports the right of Palestinians to have their own independent state. He added that Palestinians have been fighting for their freedom and this recognition is an important step towards that goal.

Israel Strongly Opposes the Decision

On the other hand, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticised France’s decision. He said that recognising Palestine at this time is like rewarding terrorism. Netanyahu believes that a Palestinian state will not live in peace with Israel but instead will try to destroy it. He said that Palestinians do not want a state alongside Israel but want to replace Israel completely.

Reaction from Hamas

Hamas, which is the group that controls Gaza, called France’s move a positive step. They urged other countries around the world to follow France and recognise Palestine as an independent state.

US and UK Reactions

The United States, which is Israel’s closest ally, rejected France’s announcement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called France’s decision reckless. The UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that he will hold an emergency call with the French and German leaders to discuss how they can urgently stop the killings in Gaza. He added that statehood is the basic right of Palestinians and that achieving a ceasefire would put them on the path to recognition and a peaceful two-state solution.

Other Countries That Recognise Palestine

More than 140 out of the 193 United Nations member states already recognise Palestine as a state. Among European countries, Spain and Ireland have given their recognition. However, the US, UK, and some of their close allies have not done so yet. Many British MPs are now calling on their government to follow France’s example and recognise Palestine soon.

Saudi Arabia Welcomes France’s Decision

Saudi Arabia praised France’s decision, saying that it reflects the global agreement that Palestinians have the right to self-determination and to build their own independent country.

Current Situation in Gaza

The situation in Gaza remains very bad. Since the start of the Israeli military campaign, which was launched after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, about 1,200 people in Israel were killed and 251 were taken hostage. In Gaza, more than 59,000 people have been killed since the war began. Many parts of Gaza have been destroyed, and thousands of families have lost their homes.

The health ministry in Gaza has said that one in five children in Gaza City is now suffering from malnutrition, and the number is increasing every day. Many international aid groups and human rights organisations have warned that there is a risk of mass starvation in Gaza if the situation does not improve quickly.

Israel’s Response to the Crisis

Israel controls the entry of food, water, and other supplies into Gaza. Israel has said that it is not blocking supplies and has blamed Hamas for the food shortages and malnutrition seen in Gaza. However, many international groups have urged Israel to allow more aid into Gaza to help the people who are suffering.

France’s decision to recognise Palestine is a historic step that will have a big impact on international politics. It shows France’s commitment to supporting peace and justice in the Middle East. While the decision has been welcomed by Palestinians and many countries, it has also faced strong criticism from Israel and the United States. The coming months will show how this decision will change the situation in Gaza and the efforts for lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.