Paris, April 11 (V7N) – French President Emmanuel Macron said this week that France may officially recognize a Palestinian state in June. He added that this move could help encourage some Middle Eastern countries to also recognize the state of Israel.
 
“We need to move towards recognition of a Palestinian state. And so over the next few months, we will,” Macron said during an interview on France 5 television. “I’m not doing it to please anyone. I’ll do it because at some point it will be right.”
 
Macron also explained that he wants to be part of a joint effort that would lead to both sides being recognized. “Those who support Palestine should also recognize Israel, and many still do not,” he said.
 
While almost 150 countries have recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, most major Western countries—including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan—have not yet done so.
 
On the other hand, several countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, do not recognize Israel as a state.
 
Macron said he hopes to co-host a peace conference with Saudi Arabia in June. “Our goal is to finalize steps toward mutual recognition between several countries,” he said.
 
The possible move by France comes during a time of ongoing conflict and international calls for a peaceful solution between Israel and Palestine.
 
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