France has officially recognised the state of Palestine, joining other Western nations ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
French president Emmanuel Macron said the time had “come“, as the UN summit seeks to revive the prospect of a lasting peace based on a two-state solution.
The day before, the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal had also formally recognised Palestine, while Israel condemned the move, arguing it rewarded Hamas terrorists.
Spain, Norway and Ireland recognised the Palestinian state last year, and Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Andorra and San Marino are set to follow suit, Macron confirmed.
International pressure is mounting on Israel, which continues its military operations in Gaza while blocking humanitarian aid.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the October 7, 2023 attack, in which around 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 others taken hostage.
Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, whose accreditation for the summit was revoked by the United States, addressed delegates via videolink.
He called for a permanent ceasefire and urged that Hamas be excluded from any future Palestinian government.
