5 days ago
President Mahmud Abbas hails Macron pledge to recognize Palestinian state - Region
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on Friday welcomed a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron confirming France will formally recognise the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly session in September.
On Thursday, France announced its intention to grant recognition by September, becoming the first G7 country to do so. The move was swiftly welcomed by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, who urged additional countries to follow.
Abbas called the step a 'victory for the Palestinian cause' and said it reflected France's 'genuine commitment' to international law and the two-state solution, which he warned Israel is systematically destroying through its war on Gaza, according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.
He thanked Saudi Arabia for encouraging France's shift, crediting King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support.
Abbas also praised the Arab-Islamic Foreign Ministers Committee and the wider coalition backing Palestinian statehood, including efforts underway for the International Peace Conference set to convene in New York later this month.
He urged all UN member states to support Palestine's bid for full membership, warning that recognition was critical 'in light of Israel's systematic efforts to undermine' the two-state framework.
France joins Spain, Ireland and Norway, who recognised the State of Palestine in May 2024, seven months into Israel's war on Gaza.
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