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French President Emmanuel Macron waves after visiting Notre Dame Cathedral with King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary of Denmark, Wednesday, Apr. 2, 2025 in Paris. Thibault Camus/AP
French President Emmanuel Macron told more than 140 leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 22 that France recognizes the state of Palestine, calling it a “historic commitment” aimed at securing peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Macron said the recognition is the “only solution” to ensure that Israel can live in peace.
The move follows recognition announcements by the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal this week.
The United States and Israel continue to oppose Palestinian statehood, arguing that recognition undermines peace efforts and strengthens the terrorist group Hamas, which launched the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and led to 251 hostages being taken.
Making the announcement, Macron said: “The recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people takes nothing away from the rights of the people of Israel, who France supported from day one and to respect of which it is strictly committed. Precisely because we are convinced that this recognition is the only solution that will allow Israel to live in peace,” according to a translation of his remarks.
Charles Kushner, the U.S. ambassador to France, wrote on X, “Hamas is celebrating today.”
Germany, Italy, and Japan took part in the summit but did not issue recognition declarations.
On Sept. 22, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the footage released by Hamas of hostage Alon Ohel, a German Israeli national captured during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
Merz, who earlier said that Germany’s commitment to Israel’s existence and security is non-negotiable, called the footage “dehumanizing” and urged Hamas to “immediately release all hostages.”
Ohel’s family urged media outlets not to publish the video.
“The most important national message right now is bringing Alon and all the hostages home to their families,” his parents said in a statement.
General Assembly Debate
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres will open the General Assembly debate on Sept. 23 with what his spokesperson described as one of his most urgent appeals yet.
“His speech will be framed around a fundamental question that he will pose to world leaders: What kind of world do we want to choose to build together?” Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres addresses reporters during a press conference in New York on June 8, 2022. Mary Altaffer/AP Photo
Guterres is expected to warn that the U.N.’s ability to act is being undermined and that leaders must match words with courage, according to the U.N.
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to be the second speaker. It will be his first appearance at the U.N. since beginning his second term in January.
Joined by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump, a vocal critic of the international body, will “advance American values, including peace, sovereignty, and liberty,” according to a statement by the U.S. State Department.
Security Council Meeting
The U.N. Security Council will meet on Sept. 23 to discuss the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. Israel stated that it would not attend.
“Despite our prior notice that the session falls on Rosh Hashanah, the Council chose to hold the debate precisely on this day,” said Danny Danon, Israeli ambassador to the U.N. “A one-sided discussion held on a Jewish holiday is yet more proof of the UN’s hypocrisy.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sept. 22 that Jerusalem remained determined to achieve its war objectives. These include the elimination of Hamas, the release of Israeli hostages, and ensuring that Gaza never constitutes a threat to Israel.
Netanyahu’s remarks, shared at the meeting with members of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), come as Israel presses ahead with military operations in Gaza City.
The IDF has urged residents to evacuate south while it targets what it describes as Hamas “terror sites” and weapons facilities in the north. The military stated that its forces had located weapons and killed members of Hamas.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The Epoch Times could not independently verify the figures.
Evgenia Filimianova is a UK-based journalist covering a wide range of international stories, with a particular interest in foreign policy, economy, and UK politics.
