France to Recognize Palestinian State at UN

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will officially recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, making it the first G7 country to take this step. Macron described the move as part of France’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East and called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian relief in Gaza. The decision drew strong criticism from Israel and the United States, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeling the move as reckless and a reward for terrorism. Macron asserted that France’s recognition is meant to support a two-state solution, encourage broader international consensus, and reaffirm France's support for Israel’s security. Several Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, praised the decision as a historic advance for Palestinian rights. The announcement underscores a widening policy divide between the US and European allies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.