French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that Paris has formally recognized the Palestinian state in comments delivered at a UN summit on a two-state solution in New York on Monday.
Belgium, Luxembourg and Malta have also formally recognized Palestine during a summit on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, expanding the list of European Union nations supporting Palestinian statehood.
Recognizing Palestinian statehood is the “only solution that will allow for Israel to live in peace,” Macron said, calling the move a “defeat for Hamas.” “We must do everything within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security,” he added.
The recognition “takes nothing away from the rights of the people of Israel, who France supported from day one,” Macron added.
The UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal formally recognized Palestine on Sunday. The decision comes as Israel faces mounting pressure in light of the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said Brussels was joining the group in order to send a “strong political and diplomatic signal to the world.” He stressed, however, that legal recognition would only take effect once “all hostages have been released and all terrorist organizations such as Hamas have been removed from the governance of Palestine.” Until then, Belgium would delay steps such as opening an embassy or concluding formal agreements.
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden described his country’s decision as “the beginning of a renewed commitment to hope, a commitment to diplomacy, to dialogue, to coexistence, and a two-state solution.” Frieden emphasized that the move was not aimed “against Israel or its people” and not intended as “a reward for violence.” He said Luxembourg continues to believe the two-state solution is “the only viable way forward for lasting peace.”
Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela told delegates that the country was “proud to confirm our official recognition of Palestinian statehood.” He said his government supports Israel’s right to exist alongside a democratic Palestinian state but argued that Hamas must play no role in Palestine’s future leadership.
Outside the EU, Monaco also declared its recognition of a Palestinian state, conditional on the release of hostages and the disarmament of Hamas. Prince Albert II told the assembly that Monaco had “defended Israel’s right to live within safe and recognized borders” but also supported the Palestinian people’s right to a “sovereign, viable and democratic state.”
More than 145 countries worldwide have now extended recognition to Palestine.
Israel strongly condemned world leaders for recognizing Palestine, with Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon saying the US and Israel “will not participate in this charade.”
