French President Emmanuel Macron, the first speaker, highlighted the horror of the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas and the dangers of anti-Semitism, APA reports citing Reuters.
But, he said, peace must be established now before it is too late:
"The time has come because there's a pressing urgency everywhere. The time for peace has come because we're just a few moments away from no longer being able to seize peace. This is why we have gathered here today. Some might say it's too late. Others might say it's too early. But one thing is certain. We can no longer wait."
He added:
"The promise of an Arab state to date remains unfulfilled. Since then, there's been a long path of hope and despair intertwined, to which Israelis and Palestinians have gone down, each in their own way. We have walked alongside them, each of us in keeping with our history and our sensibilities. But the truth is that we bear a collective responsibility for, to date, having failed to build just and lasting peace in the Middle East."
"This is why, true to the historic, historic commitment of my country to the Middle East, to peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, this is why I declare that today France recognizes the state of Palestine," said French President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron's announcement was greeted with a standing ovation from some listening in the U.N. chamber.
French President Emmanuel Macron added:
Hamas must be dismantled as soon as a ceasefire is agreed.
"France stands ready to contribute to an international stabilization mission, as well as to support, together with our European partners, the establishment and equipping of Palestinian security forces."
France will open an embassy in Palestine.
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