France is on track to become the most powerful country in the world to recognize Palestinian statehood.
“We must move toward recognition [of a Palestinian state], and we will do so in the coming months,” Macron said, according to translations from French newspaper Le Monde. “Our aim is to chair this conference with Saudi Arabia in June, where we could finalize this movement of mutual recognition by several parties.”
France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-host a conference in June, with the aim of moving toward the establishment of a Palestinian state.
He continued, “I will do it […] because I believe that at some point it will be right and because I also want to participate in a collective dynamic, which must also allow all those who defend Palestine to recognize Israel in turn, which many of them do not do.”
Varsen Aghabekian, Palestinian minister of state for foreign affairs, told Agence France-Presse that statehood recognition from France would be “a step in the right direction” and aid in “safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people and the two-state solution.”
The French diplomatic corps considers their country a “friend of both the Israelis and the Palestinians” and has consistently advocated a two-state solution to the decadeslong conflict.
France is also home to a significant Muslim population, especially in metropolitan areas such as Paris, where they hold considerable sway in politics.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou urged his country not to “stigmatize our 9 million Muslim compatriots” during a discussion about a proposed bill that would ban hijabs in sports competitions.
Macron emphasized that he is not pursuing recognition of a Palestinian state “to please anyone” and that the initiative would ultimately help Palestinians and Israelis.
However, Israeli officials were far from pleased by the announcement, with the country’s top diplomat calling Macron’s push for Palestinian statehood misguided as it is a “fictional” state.
“A unilateral recognition of a fictional Palestinian state, by any country, in the reality that we all know, will be a prize for terror and a boost for Hamas,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
“These kinds of actions will not bring peace, security, and stability in our region closer, but the opposite — they only push them further away,” he continued.
Palestinian statehood is recognized by 147 out of the 193 member countries of the United Nations, and it has nonmember observer status in the international body alongside the Holy See.
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The Holy See also recognizes Palestinian statehood and maintains bilateral diplomatic relations.
Macron’s announcement marked a break from Western powers such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and others.
