ISTANBUL 

European leaders on Thursday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France will recognize the State of Palestine in September, describing it as a key step toward achieving peace in the Middle East.

“I welcome the announcement by President Macron that France will recognise Palestine in September,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said on X.

“This is an important contribution towards implementing the two-state solution, which offers the only lasting basis for peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” he added.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also voiced support for the French decision, stressing the urgency of preserving the path to a negotiated settlement.

“I welcome that France joins Spain and other European countries in recognizing the State of Palestine,” he said on X.

“Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. The two-state solution is the only solution," he added.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney also weighed in, calling on the UK government to take similar action.

“The U.K. should follow the example of France tonight and recognise the State of Palestine. This is essential for peace,” he said on X.

“The ceasefire and humanitarian aid must start now," he added.

Earlier, Macron announced that he will officially announce France’s recognition of the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

Israel has killed more than 59,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, collapsed the health system, and led to severe food shortages.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.