Recognition of a Palestinian state is the only way for Israel to be able to live in peace, and recognition is a way to defeat Hamas, said Macron when he inaugurated the UN conference on a two-state solution.
We have gathered here because it is time. It is time for peace. It is time for the hostages to come home. It is time to put an end to the war, to the bombing of Gaza, to the massacres and people on the run, he said.
Macron was interrupted by applause several times during his speech. The hall was filled, except for the seats where the Israeli and US delegations would have sat – the countries boycotted the conference.
Belgium is expected to follow
Nor was the Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas present in New York, he has been denied a visa by the US. Via link, he urged Hamas to lay down their arms and condemned the terrorist-stamped group's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
France's decision was expected and comes after Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Portugal on Sunday announced that they recognize a Palestinian state. Among others, Belgium, Malta, and Luxembourg are expected to come with a recognition during Monday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a subsequent speech that recognition is "a right, not a reward" and that without a two-state solution, there will be no peace in the Middle East.
The situation (in Gaza) is unbearable and is getting worse by the hour.
Urges Trump
Germany is sticking to its position of not recognizing a Palestinian state until Israelis and Palestinians have negotiated a two-state solution, but Denmark says it is ready for recognition.
But we currently have an Israeli government that does not want to discuss the matter at all, says Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to DR and urges US President Donald Trump to open up for recognition
Trump, however, believes according to his press secretary Karoline Leavitt that recognition rewards Hamas.
He also believes that the decisions to recognize Palestine are just more talk and not enough action from our partners and allies, she says.
