France has officially recognized the state of Palestine, as President Emmanuel Macron announced from the podium of the UN special session.
French President Emmanuel Macron told the United Nations on Monday that recognizing a Palestinian state is "the only solution that will allow Israel to live in peace," calling the move "a defeat for Hamas."
Speaking at the two-state solution summit in New York, Macron said that "we must do everything in our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security."
"However, at this moment Israel is further expanding its military operation in Gaza with the declared aim of destroying Hamas, but there are hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced, injured, starving, psychologically traumatized," the French president said.
"The time has come. That is why, faithful to my country's historic commitment in the Middle East for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. That is why I declare that today France recognizes the state of Palestine," said Macron, whose announcement was met with applause.
Recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people "does not take anything away from the rights of the people of Israel, whom France has supported since day one," Macron said.
"France has never hesitated, it stands by Israel, by its side, even when its security was at risk, including Iranian airstrikes. This recognition of the State of Palestine is a defeat for Hamas," Macron added.
The French leader thanked other nations that have also recognized a Palestinian state in recent days. "They responded to our call made in July and made the responsible choice, the necessary choice, the choice to choose peace," he said.
"Nothing will be possible unless the Palestinian Authority fully embraces our renewed ambition so that we can finally achieve the two-state solution," he added later in his speech.
"We want two states living side by side in peace and security," the French president said.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are the first speakers, followed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and then by other world leaders.
