France will recognize the State of Palestine in September at the UN, announces Emmanuel Macron

"True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine. I will make a solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September," the French head of state wrote on X and Instagram.

France will then co-chair with Saudi Arabia an international conference at the level of heads of state and government aimed at relaunching the so-called "two-state" solution, Palestinian and Israeli.

This conference, originally scheduled for June, was postponed at the last minute due to the war between Israel and Iran. In the meantime, a ministerial-level meeting will be held on July 28 and 29 in New York.

To date, at least 142 states have recognized a Palestinian state, according to an AFP tally. The United States and Israel strongly oppose such a project.

"The urgent need today is to end the war in Gaza and to rescue the civilian population," the French president insisted on X.

In this context, "we must finally build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability and ensure that by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the Middle East," he added.

By taking the step of recognition, France intends to "make a decisive contribution to peace in the Middle East" and "will mobilize all of its international partners who wish to take part in it," Emmanuel Macron also wrote in a letter addressed to the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.