Macron said the decision was intended to fulfill both the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians for security and peace. He added that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has pledged to renew Palestinian governance and implement reforms to prepare the nation.
“France continues to stand alongside Palestinian authorities on this road,” Macron said, stressing the urgency to stabilize the region.
“We must recognize the legitimate right of the Palestinians to have a state,” Macron said in an interview that airs Thursday on Israeli TV Channel 12.
The move comes when Israel launched a ground attack in Gaza city this week, accusing Macron of “absolutely unacceptable” and “a big mistake.”
Over 145 countries in Europe, including more than 12 people, already recognize Palestine.
The UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Malta, Belgium and Luxembourg are expected to follow Macron’s lead in recognizing Palestinian nations in the coming days.
The move aims to encourage “tangible and irreversible progress within a time frame that allows us to return to a solution to the two states,” according to the head of French diplomats. The official spoke anonymously in line with the customary practices of the French presidency.
“The analysis shared by regional players starting from Saudi Arabia is that this (peace) process can only be resumed with the creation of a Palestinian state,” the official said.
MNA/