Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a pivotal moment for Middle East diplomacy, French President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s official recognition of the State of Palestine during a high-level conference on the two-state solution held in New York. The declaration marks a significant shift in France’s foreign policy and adds to growing international momentum behind efforts to end the ongoing war in Gaza and revive peace negotiations.
“Today, we are gathered because the time has come to release the 48 hostages held by Hamas and to stop the war in Gaza,” Macron said in his address. “We can no longer wait to recognize the State of Palestine. The promise of establishing an Arab state in Palestine remains unfulfilled.”
Macron described the move as both a moral and political necessity, framing it as a step toward restoring balance and justice in a region long torn by conflict. “Our collective failure to build a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East weighs heavily on us all,” he stated. He also acknowledged the trauma of the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, which he said “shocked both Israel and the world.”
While expressing solidarity with the Israeli people and reiterating his call for the unconditional release of hostages, Macron made it clear that countering terrorism must not come at the expense of innocent lives. “Israel continues its military operations in Gaza with the declared aim of destroying Hamas. Yet the lives of thousands of Gazans continue to be destroyed,” he said. “There is no justification for what is happening in Gaza. The war must end to save lives.”
In one of the most powerful moments of his speech, Macron declared: “Recognition of the other, their legitimacy and humanity is the only way to stop the destruction. We have a duty to chart a path to peace in the Middle East.”
He then announced France’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine, describing it as part of a long-standing French commitment to peace and justice in the region. “In keeping with my country’s historic commitment in the Middle East, I announce France’s recognition of the State of Palestine,” Macron stated.
“This recognition confirms that the Palestinian people are not expendable. They have legitimate rights, and acknowledging those rights does not diminish the rights of the Israeli people,” he added.
Macron’s speech emphasized that France’s decision is not a rejection of Israel’s right to security but rather a call to restore political equilibrium and human dignity for both peoples. By recognizing Palestine, France joins a growing number of countries that see the two-state solution not as an idealistic vision, but as an urgent and practical framework for ending decades of violence.
The announcement is likely to stir both support and controversy on the international stage, but Macron positioned it as a necessary step in reviving a peace process that has long been stalled. As the war in Gaza continues to claim lives and fuel regional instability, France’s move may catalyze broader diplomatic efforts to bring about a lasting resolution based on mutual recognition, coexistence, and respect for international law.
With this historic declaration, France has reaffirmed its role as a key player in international diplomacy, advocating not only for peace but for a just peace one that affirms the humanity and rights of all parties involved.
