Hamas says French pledge to recognise State of Palestine 'positive step'
"We consider this a positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people and supporting their legitimate right to self-determination," Hamas said in a statement, after French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France would formally state its recognition in September.
"We call on all countries of the world --especially European nations and those that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine — to follow France's lead," Hamas added.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on July 24 his country would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September, the most powerful European nation to announce such a move.
Macron said the "urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian population".
"We must finally build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability and enable it, by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East," he wrote on social media.
At least 142 countries now recognise or plan to recognise Palestinian statehood, according to an AFP tally — though Israel and the United States strongly oppose the move.
Several countries have announced plans to recognise statehood for the Palestinians since Israel launched a bombardment of Gaza in 2023 in response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
Macron's announcement drew immediate anger from Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying it "rewards terror" and poses an existential threat to Israel.
Netanyahu said in a statement that the decision "risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became", which would be "a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it".
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