“The time has come because the emergency is everywhere,” he stated. “The time for peace is now, as it will soon be too late to seize the moment.”
Macron has recently spearheaded a diplomatic push to encourage countries to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations’ annual gathering to increase pressure for peace as Israel intensified its ground offensive in Gaza. On Sunday, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia recognized a Palestinian state. Other European nations, including Belgium, Portugal, Luxembourg, Malta, San Marino, and Monaco, are expected to follow suit.
Macron emphasized the urgency for nations to “open a pathway towards peace,” adding, “The time has come because the worst may be ahead of us, whether it’s the sacrifice of many more civilians, the expulsion of the Gazan population toward Egypt, the annexation of the West Bank, or the death of hostages detained by Hamas.”
The French president also responded to criticism from Israel and the U.S. that his initiative rewards and strengthens Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He argued that Hamas was “weakened” and now needs to be defeated politically.
Macron stated that the recognition of a Palestinian state would be a phased process and that France would “be attentive” regarding Palestinian commitments and steps toward full statehood. “I would decide to open an embassy to Palestine once all the hostages in Gaza have been released and a ceasefire has been implemented,” he said.
Both the U.S. and Israel have criticized the growing support for the two-state solution. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Donald Trump, said the U.S. president “disagrees with” the decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
“He feels this does not do anything to free the hostages, which is the primary goal in Gaza, does nothing to end this conflict and bring this war to a close — and, frankly, he believes it is a reward for Hamas,” Leavitt said Monday.
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