French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday that his country now recognizes a Palestinian state, speaking at a special conference with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the United Nations in New York. With the move, France joins a growing list of countries that have declared recognition in recent days, including Malta, Luxembourg, Belgium, and, as of Sunday, the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal.
Macron began his remarks by saying, "We must open our eyes and see human faces where war defines enemies. We must acknowledge the loneliness of each people: the Israelis after October 7, and the Palestinians as a result of the ongoing war."
"This is why today, we must chart a path toward peace. Since last July, developments have accelerated. We have reason to believe the Abraham Accords are at risk because of Israel's actions, and we must act to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution," Macron said.
Le temps de la paix est venu. https://t.co/jah3FiXh4C
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 22, 2025
'The hostages must be freed'
Macron also addressed the issue of Israeli hostages held by the Hamas terrorist organization, saying, "We gathered here today because the time has come to free the 48 hostages in Hamas' hands. The time has come to end the war, the bombings in Gaza, the massacres, and the people fleeing."
The summit, hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, is aimed at advancing the "New York Declaration," which was adopted at the UN General Assembly in September by a large majority of 142 countries, with only 10 voting against, including Israel and the US.
The declaration sets out "concrete, time-bound and irreversible steps" toward a two-state solution, while calling for Hamas' dismantling and for governance in Gaza to be transferred to the Palestinian Authority.
