France recognised the Palestinian state on Monday at the start of a high-level meeting at the United Nations.
“In line with my country’s historic commitment to the Middle East, to peace between Israelis and Palestinians, that is why I declare that today France recognises the State of Palestine,” Macron said.
Other countries are expected to follow suit.
The day before, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal announced official recognition of Palestinian statehood.
On 12 September, the UN General Assembly approved a resolution in support of the so-called New York Declaration – a statement of principles for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East, based on the creation of an independent Palestinian state without the Hamas group in power, developed at the initiative of France and Saudi Arabia. Israel has expressed disagreement with the document.
The state of Palestine is now recognised by about 150 of the 193 UN member states. The US, Israel, Italy and Germany, among others, refuse to recognise it. According to UN resolutions, the territory of the state should consist of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, but Israel does not agree with such borders.