Emmanuel Macron calls for recognition of Palestine by Paris and London, Keir Starmer first pleads for a ceasefire in Gaza

French President Emmanuel Macron called on Thursday, July 10, for joint recognition of the State of Palestine by France and the United Kingdom, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling for "emphasis" on securing a ceasefire in Gaza .

"I believe in the future of the two-state solution (...) which will allow Israel to live in peace and security with its neighbors," said Emmanuel Macron, who was concluding a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom.

During a joint press conference with Keir Starmer, the French President stressed "the need to unite our voices in Paris, London and everywhere else to recognize a State of Palestine and initiate this political dynamic which is the only one consistent with a perspective of peace."

For his part, the British Prime Minister affirmed that "the long-standing policy" of his Labour Party and his government was "to recognize Palestine as part of a process." "That remains our position," he said.

However, he added, "the focus must now be relentless on securing a ceasefire that will allow politics to take precedence over fighting and allow humanitarian aid to arrive and hostages (held in Gaza, editor's note) to be taken care of."

On May 19, the United Kingdom, Canada and France opened the way for possible recognition, in a joint statement denouncing the "scandalous actions" of the Netanyahu government in the besieged and starving Gaza Strip .

Since then, none of the leaders of these three countries have taken this step. The United States and Israel strongly oppose such a project.

In May 2024, Ireland, Spain and Norway, joined a month later by Slovenia, announced their recognition of the Palestinian state.