France recognizes Palestine and Macron says that “time for peace is now”

France President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday (22) in New York that France officially recognizes the state of Palestine.

The gesture, made during a conference organized by France and Saudi Arabia on the eve of the opening of the UN General Assembly, was received with applause and an ovation of the Palestinian delegation.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also attended the meeting and defended the decision. He said that the gesture “helps to restore hope” and stressed that Brazil will continue to support Palestinians’ right to self -determination.

The French movement marks an open rupture with Washington and increases Israel’s diplomatic isolation amid the war in Gaza.

“I declare that today France recognizes the state of Palestine, for the peace between the Israeli people and the Palestinian people,” Macron said, in front of hundreds of delegates gathered in the UN plenary.

In a emphatic tone, he said that the urgency of the decision stems from the humanitarian collapse in Gaza and the escalation of tensions in the West Bank.

“The time for peace is now, because soon it will be too late to grab this opportunity,” he added.

The French leader tried to frame the measure not as a hostile gesture to Israel, but as a necessary step to keep the prospect of a negotiated solution alive.

“The worst may be ahead, be it the sacrifice of many more civilians, the expulsion of the population of Gaza towards Egypt, the attachment of the West Bank, or the death of the Hamas detained hostages,” he said.

Macron responded to criticism of Tel Aviv and Washington, who accuse the recognition of strengthening Hamas.

“Hamas is weakened and needs to be defeated politically,” he said.

He also explained that the recognition process will be gradual. France will only open an embassy in Palestine after the release of hostages in Gaza and the implementation of a ceasefire.

It also promised that the country is willing to contribute to an international stabilization mission at the Palestinian enclave if there is a truce agreement.

Macron’s speech added to an appealing choir for the two -state solution. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the decision is “a right, not a reward,” and warned that “denying the condition of state would be a gift for extremists everywhere.”

Saudi chancellor Faisal Bin Farhan, who replaced heir prince Mohammed Bin Salman at the event, classified Israel’s actions as “brutal crimes” in Gaza and argued that other countries follow the French example.

The Palestinian delegation, prevented from being physically in New York after the US denying President Mahmoud Abbas, celebrated by video.

“Our future and yours depends on peace. Enough of war,” said Abbas. He reiterated that the Palestinian Authority must govern the West Bank and Gaza, with no room for Hamas.

The event symbolized the isolation of Israel and the US, whose tables remained empty during the sessions.

Still, physical absence did not prevent the hostile tone. Israeli ambassador Danny Danon called the “circus” conference and promised retaliation.

Netanyahu, in a statement, repeated that “a Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.”

Already the White House stated that the measure “does nothing to free the hostages, does not end the conflict and, frankly, is a reward to Hamas.”

Macron’s diplomatic offensive sought to recruit heavy allies. On Sunday (21), the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal recognized Palestine, paving the way for Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Malta, San Marino, Monaco and even Japan.

Read also: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal recognize Palestine

The General Assembly approved on Monday, with 142 votes in favor, the so-called New York Declaration, which establishes “tangible steps, defined and irreversible” towards the creation of a Palestinian state.

With the entry of France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the United States is isolated among the five permanent opposition to the recognition of Palestine.

French gesture increases the pressure for the European Union to adopt harder measures against Israel’s settlement policy.

International jurists recall that countries that formalize full relations with Palestine may be required to review aspects of their trade with Israel, at risk of breach of legal obligations with Ramallah.

Read also: Lula accuses Israel of genocide and snake UN by Palestinian state

Also read: UN Conference approves declaration and expands recognition to Palestine