NCaledonia politicians agree on statehood while remaining French
President Emmanuel Macron had called for talks to break a deadlock between forces loyal to France and those wanting independence, asking New Caledonian elected officials, as well as political, economic and civil society leaders to gather near Paris to hammer out a constitional framework for the territory.
After 10 days of talks, the parties agreed that a "State of New Caledonia" should be created.
The archipelago is to retain "a status within France, with Caledonians who will remain French", said Nicolas Metzdorf, an anti-independence deputy.
"No more referendums are planned, with the exception of the one confirming this agreement," he said in a message sent to AFP.
The priority now was New Caledonia's economic recovery after last year's violence that killed 14 and is estimated to have cost the territory two billion euros ($2.3 billion), shaving 10 percent off its gross domestic product (GDP), he said.
Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said Saturday's deal -- which still requires parliamentary and referendum approval -- was of "historic dimensions".
Home to around 270,000 people and located nearly 17,000 kilometres (10,600 miles) from Paris, New Caledonia is one of several overseas territories that remain an integral part of France.
It has been ruled from Paris since the 1800s, but many indigenous Kanaks still resent France's power over their islands and want fuller autonomy or independence.
Unrest broke out in May 2024 after Paris planned to give voting rights to thousands of non-indigenous long-term residents, something Kanaks feared would leave them in a permanent minority, crushing their chances of winning independence.
As part of the agreement, New Caledonia residents will in future only be allowed to vote after 10 years of living on the archipelago.
The last independence referendum in New Caledonia was held in 2021, and was boycotted by pro-independence groups over the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Kanak population.
The referendum was the last of three since 2018, all of which rejected New Caledonian independence.
Since the 2021 referendum the political situation in the archipelago has been in deadlock.
Macron declared in early June he wanted a "new project" for New Caledonia.
The 13-page agreement announced Saturday calls for a New Caledonian nationality, and the possibility for residents there to combine that status with the French nationality.
According to the deal, a "State of New Caledonia" will be enshrined in France's constitution, and other countries could recognise such a state.
The deal also calls for an economic and financial recovery pact that would include a renewal of the territory's nickel processing capabilities.
Both chambers of France's parliament are to meet in the fourth quarter of this year to approve the deal, which is then to be submitted to New Caledonians in a referendum in 2026.
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CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
France recognizing a Palestinian state is a bold move by Macron, with a hint of desperation
The Middle East Israel-Hamas warFacebookTweetLink Follow With a single post, French President Emmanuel Macron changed everything, and nothing at all. His late-evening announcement on X that France will recognize a Palestinian state in September, the first member of the United Nations Security Council and the G7 nations to do so, took many by surprise. Although France's recognition has been expected for several months now – indeed the brief Israel-Iran war forced a postponement of the summit on Israel-Palestine with Saudi Arabia and European allies that Paris had been shepherding – it was not expected to land like this. The surprise announcement tells us two things. Firstly, that Emmanuel Macron feels this is the time to act. Leaders from France, the UK and Germany are due to speak Friday to seek urgent action over the new lows of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. More than a thousand Gazans have been killed desperately seeking food since May, dozens more from starvation itself. Images of skeletal, starving Gazans, including children, have harked back to the darkest corners of the twentieth century, stirring Western revulsion – if not yet concrete action – toward the humanitarian crisis. Macron's decision is a bold one – following a smattering of European allies: Ireland, Norway and Spain – but leading the way for major international powers to follow suit. 'I've had other colleagues on the phone and I'm sure that we won't be the only ones recognizing Palestine in September,' a senior official in the French presidency told CNN Thursday following Macron's announcement. Eyes will now likely turn to the UK, perhaps Germany too. The prospect of the United States, Israel's closest ally even without a Trump presidency, seems impossible. But for those on the ground, the French decision will likely change little. The move was welcomed by Hamas as a 'positive step.' For Israeli leaders, it didn't go down well at all. Recognition 'rewards terror' said Israeli Prime Minister (and long-time opponent of a Palestinian state) Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday night, with other ministers arguing the move now justifies the official annexation of the West Bank – Judea and Samaria in the parlance of the Israeli far-right. Even if international recognition could magically mete out concrete change for Gaza, the September deadline will come far too late for Palestinians starving to death under the Israeli-controlled blockade of food. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, the main United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, said Thursday that people in Gaza resembled 'walking corpses' as starvation took hold. All 2.1 million people in Gaza are now food insecure and on Tuesday, Gaza's health ministry said 900,000 children are going hungry. Some 70,000 children already show signs of malnutrition, they said. France's solo announcement also suggests a hint of desperation on Macron's part. He's a man who likes a coalition on the world stage – strength in numbers is usually a winning strategy. A month ago, the stage appeared set for France to recognize Palestine – a summit co-hosted with Saudi Arabia was planned in Riyadh from June 17 to 20. But when open conflict broke out between Israel and Iran on June 13, that plan was torn apart. The expectation among experts was that France and Saudi Arabia would marshal other allies into a joint recognition – a strong signal to Jerusalem and Washington D.C. on the importance of the two-state solution and peace. Macron may still have his win in September if allies join France's recognition but it won't have been without risking France's diplomatic capital and cajoling more reluctant partners. 'The idea is to put a bit of pressure on other countries,' the senior French official told CNN. And Macron's decision holds weight. European nations have proved stubbornly reluctant to formally act upon a two-state solution and recognize Palestinian statehood. Respect for the West's ally Israel, distaste for the Islamist government in Gaza and the shortcomings of the West Bank's Palestinian Authority, and an apparently acceptable decades-long status quo saw muted outrage at Israeli settlements and attacks on Palestinians, with little shift in international action. France is now breaking that glass ceiling. Within France, a country that has long held a sympathetic position toward the Palestinian cause, recognizing Palestinian statehood won't be a controversial move. Post-WWII leader Charles de Gaulle famously rallied France to the Palestinian people following the 1967 war, with Paris engaging with the Palestinian Liberation Organization for decades, even as terror attacks were committed in the group's name on French soil. In 2014, the French parliament called on the government to recognize Palestine, an appeal that the government backed at the United Nations Security Council in an unsuccessful vote to bring about Palestinian statehood by 2017. France has long backed a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine based on the 1967 borders, although the Elysee source said that the French recognition would not specify the borders. Macron staunchly backed Israel's retaliation for the October 7 massacres but over time has hardened his criticism of Netanyahu and Israel's conduct of the war. Publicly, he worried about about 'importing' the conflict into France, home to Europe's largest community of Jews and Muslims. But as casualties in Gaza mounted, France banned arms exports to Israel, orchestrated aid drops into the territory and repeatedly called for a ceasefire and access of humanitarian aid and journalists. In taking this leap of faith, recognizing a Palestinian state ahead of France's peers, the Elysee Palace is surely hoping for a domino effect of recognition across the West. With aid still cruelly beyond the reach of ordinary Gazans, perhaps it's a last ditch effort to bring some relief.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
France recognizing a Palestinian state is a bold move by Macron, with a hint of desperation
With a single post, French President Emmanuel Macron changed everything, and nothing at all. His late-evening announcement on X that France will recognize a Palestinian state in September, the first member of the United Nations Security Council and the G7 nations to do so, took many by surprise. Although France's recognition has been expected for several months now – indeed the brief Israel-Iran war forced a postponement of the summit on Israel-Palestine with Saudi Arabia and European allies that Paris had been shepherding – it was not expected to land like this. The surprise announcement tells us two things. Firstly, that Emmanuel Macron feels this is the time to act. Leaders from France, the UK and Germany are due to speak Friday to seek urgent action over the new lows of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. More than a thousand Gazans have been killed desperately seeking food since May, dozens more from starvation itself. Images of skeletal, starving Gazans, including children, have harked back to the darkest corners of the twentieth century, stirring Western revulsion – if not yet concrete action – toward the humanitarian crisis. Macron's decision is a bold one – following a smattering of European allies: Ireland, Norway and Spain – but leading the way for major international powers to follow suit. 'I've had other colleagues on the phone and I'm sure that we won't be the only ones recognizing Palestine in September,' a senior official in the French presidency told CNN Thursday following Macron's announcement. Eyes will now likely turn to the UK, perhaps Germany too. The prospect of the United States, Israel's closest ally even without a Trump presidency, seems impossible. But for those on the ground, the French decision will likely change little. The move was welcomed by Hamas as a 'positive step.' For Israeli leaders, it didn't go down well at all. Recognition 'rewards terror' said Israeli Prime Minister (and long-time opponent of a Palestinian state) Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday night, with other ministers arguing the move now justifies the official annexation of the West Bank – Judea and Samaria in the parlance of the Israeli far-right. Even if international recognition could magically mete out concrete change for Gaza, the September deadline will come far too late for Palestinians starving to death under the Israeli-controlled blockade of food. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, the main United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, said Thursday that people in Gaza resembled 'walking corpses' as starvation took hold. All 2.1 million people in Gaza are now food insecure and on Tuesday, Gaza's health ministry said 900,000 children are going hungry. Some 70,000 children already show signs of malnutrition, they said. France's solo announcement also suggests a hint of desperation on Macron's part. He's a man who likes a coalition on the world stage – strength in numbers is usually a winning strategy. A month ago, the stage appeared set for France to recognize Palestine – a summit co-hosted with Saudi Arabia was planned in Riyadh from June 17 to 20. But when open conflict broke out between Israel and Iran on June 13, that plan was torn apart. The expectation among experts was that France and Saudi Arabia would marshal other allies into a joint recognition – a strong signal to Jerusalem and Washington D.C. on the importance of the two-state solution and peace. Macron may still have his win in September if allies join France's recognition but it won't have been without risking France's diplomatic capital and cajoling more reluctant partners. 'The idea is to put a bit of pressure on other countries,' the senior French official told CNN. And Macron's decision holds weight. European nations have proved stubbornly reluctant to formally act upon a two-state solution and recognize Palestinian statehood. Respect for the West's ally Israel, distaste for the Islamist government in Gaza and the shortcomings of the West Bank's Palestinian Authority, and an apparently acceptable decades-long status quo saw muted outrage at Israeli settlements and attacks on Palestinians, with little shift in international action. France is now breaking that glass ceiling. Within France, a country that has long held a sympathetic position toward the Palestinian cause, recognizing Palestinian statehood won't be a controversial move. Post-WWII leader Charles de Gaulle famously rallied France to the Palestinian people following the 1967 war, with Paris engaging with the Palestinian Liberation Organization for decades, even as terror attacks were committed in the group's name on French soil. In 2014, the French parliament called on the government to recognize Palestine, an appeal that the government backed at the United Nations Security Council in an unsuccessful vote to bring about Palestinian statehood by 2017. France has long backed a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine based on the 1967 borders, although the Elysee source said that the French recognition would not specify the borders. Macron staunchly backed Israel's retaliation for the October 7 massacres but over time has hardened his criticism of Netanyahu and Israel's conduct of the war. Publicly, he worried about about 'importing' the conflict into France, home to Europe's largest community of Jews and Muslims. But as casualties in Gaza mounted, France banned arms exports to Israel, orchestrated aid drops into the territory and repeatedly called for a ceasefire and access of humanitarian aid and journalists. In taking this leap of faith, recognizing a Palestinian state ahead of France's peers, the Elysee Palace is surely hoping for a domino effect of recognition across the West. With aid still cruelly beyond the reach of ordinary Gazans, perhaps it's a last ditch effort to bring some relief.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Israel Ambassador Slams France's 'Disgraceful' Palestinian Statehood Move
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations in a statement shared with Newsweek has condemned French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognize Palestinian statehood. "Neither international conferences disconnected from reality nor unilateral statements at the UN will lead to peace," Israeli Permanent Representative to the U.N. Danny Danon said in a statement shared with Newsweek. "Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state after the massacre of October 7 and precisely at a time when Hamas is still holding hostages is a disgraceful reward for terrorism." "Anyone who ignores the reality on the ground—that Israel has no partner for peace — harms not only Israel but the stability of the entire region," he added. Macron announced in a statement earlier Thursday that "France will recognize the State of Palestine," a move he said was "consistent" with his country's "historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East." The French leader went on to call for an "urgent end to the war" as well as greater humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and French President Emmanuel Macron (L) hold a joint press conference in Jerusalem on October 24, 2023, two and a half weeks after a Hamas-led surprise attack sparked the... Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and French President Emmanuel Macron (L) hold a joint press conference in Jerusalem on October 24, 2023, two and a half weeks after a Hamas-led surprise attack sparked the deadliest-ever war in the Gaza Strip. More CHRISTOPHE ENA/Pool/AFP/Getty Images Why This Matters Macron's decision comes amid a wave of nations moving to recognize Palestinian statehood, bringing the number closer to the number of nations recognizing Israel over the course of the war in Gaza, which began when the Palestinian Hamas movement launched a surprise attack against Israel on October 7, 2023. Of the 193 U.N. member states, approximately 147 currently recognize the State of Palestine, which was granted non-member observer status at the U.N. in 2012. Israel, which is a full member of the U.N., is currently recognized by 165 U.N. member states. The vast majority of the international community recognizes both Israeli and Palestinian statehood. France is also one of a number of European nations to demand an immediate ceasefire to Israel's offensive in Gaza. The latest move has the potential to add to international pressure on Israel as it vows to continue its war efforts until Hamas is defeated and all of the remaining hostages are released. Both Israel and the United States have repeatedly rejected the prospect of recognizing Palestinian statehood unless a comprehensive peace agreement is reached between the two peoples. What to Know Around 1,200 people, the majority of them civilians, were killed during Hamas' initial attack, according to Israeli officials. An additional 251 were taken hostage by Hamas, 50 of whom are still believed to be in the group's captivity. Throughout the course of the conflict, more than 59,500 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-led Palestinian Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants, though most of those killed are said to be among women, children, and the elderly. Thousands more have been killed in Lebanon, the West Bank, Syria and Iran as the conflict spread throughout the region. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has counted 451 killed among its ranks since ground operations began in Gaza. Successive rounds of ceasefire talks have been held in the Qatari capital of Doha, with the U.S. serving as a mediator. Prior to Macron's announcement on Thursday, President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, stated that he was pulling the U.S. delegation out of the talks, arguing that Hamas "clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza." Hamas said it was "surprised" by Witkoff's move in a statement, "especially after mediators have welcomed and expressed satisfaction with this constructive and positive stance, which paves the way for a comprehensive agreement," in a statement issued by the group. "Hamas reiterates its dedication to complete the negotiations and engage in a manner that overcomes obstacles and achieves a permanent ceasefire agreement," the group said. Hamas does not represent the Palestinian delegation to the U.N., which is instead overseen by the Palestinian National Authority (PA), a rival government led by President Mahmoud Abbas and based in the West Bank. What People Are Saying French President Emmanuel Macron, in a statement Thursday, said, "Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. We must also ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, secure and rebuild Gaza. And finally, we must build the State of Palestine, guarantee its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the region. "There is no alternative. The French people want peace in the Middle East. It is our responsibility — as French citizens, alongside Israelis, Palestinians, and our European and international partners — to prove that peace is possible. "In light of the commitments made to me by the President of the Palestinian Authority, I have written to him to express my determination to move forward. Trust, clarity, and resolve. We will achieve peace." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement on Thursday, said, "We strongly condemn President Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7 massacre. Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. "A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it. Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel." What Happens Next While recognition of Palestinian statehood remains a largely symbolic gesture, France's move has the potential to foster closer ties between Paris and the PA. As a major European power and a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, France's shift also has the potential to spur further recognition of Palestinian statehood across the continent and beyond. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
