“There is no alternative,” said French President Emmanuel Macron, announcing on Thursday that his country will officially recognize the Palestinian state.

It is the first G7 nation to make this decision.

In a message published on X, Macron said he would make the formal announcement in September, before a session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

"The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and massive humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza," he wrote.

Palestinian officials welcomed Macron's decision, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the measure "rewards terror" following Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023.

By For his part, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that his country "strongly rejects" Macron's announcement, calling the decision "irresponsible." The G7 is the group of major industrialized nations that, in addition to France, includes the US, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. In his message on Thursday at X, Macron wrote: "True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine." We must also guarantee the demilitarization of Hamas and strengthen the security and reconstruction of Gaza. he added.

“Finally, we must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that by accepting demilitarization and full recognition of Israel, it will contribute to the security of the entire Middle East. There is no alternative.”

The French president also attached a letter to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas confirming his decision.

In response to Macron’s announcement, PA Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh was quoted as saying, “This stance reflects France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state,” the AFP news agency quoted him as saying. Hamas, on the other hand, called the French government’s decision a “positive step in the right direction” and called on all countries around the world “to follow France’s example.” Israel and the United States condemn the move. Benjamin Netanyahu responded sharply to the move on his X account: “We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state alongside Tel Aviv.” Aviv after the October 7 massacre.”

He also said that the measure by one of his close allies “rewards terror and risks the creation of another proxy of Iran.”

“A Palestinian state under these conditions would be a launching pad for the annihilation of Israel, not for living in peace alongside it. Let us be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel,” Netanyahu concluded.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz joined in condemning Macron’s announcement, calling it “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism,” and assuring that Israel would not allow the establishment of a “Palestinian entity that would harm our security.” and would endanger our existence.”

For his part, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also took to the social network X to criticize France: “This irresponsible decision only serves Hamas propaganda and delays peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7.”

According to the Reuters news agency, Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent Marcron’s statement, even warning the French government, according to its sources, of retaliation in its bilateral relations.

In a diplomatic cable, the US government confirmed its opposition to unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, indicating that it would go against the Washington's foreign policy interests and would have consequences."

"Inalienable" right

But both the positions of Israel and the United States go against the international trend.

Currently, more than 140 of the 193 member nations of the UN recognize the State of Palestine.

Among these are countries of the European Union, such as Norway, Ireland and Spain.

Precisely, Pedro Sánchez, the head of the Spanish government, received positively the statement of his French counterpart.

It is significant that France, As a member of the powerful G7 group, be the first to take a stand in favor of the Palestinian people. However, others, such as the United Kingdom, have not recognized a Palestinian state, although they have given indications that they are inclined to make such a decision.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement on Thursday that he would be convening an mergency call with the leaders of France and Germany this Friday to discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing.

Statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people, Starmer said, adding that a ceasefire would put us on a path towards recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution.

Starmer™s statement comes amid growing pressure, including from MPs in his own party, for Britain to follow France™s lead.

On Friday, the A majority of MPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee, which scrutinizes British foreign policy, called for immediate recognition of the state of Palestine, adding that the step should be taken "while there is still a state to recognize." "An inalienable right should not be conditional," the committee's report said. The Saudi Foreign Office praised France's decision, saying it "reaffirms the international community's consensus on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state." The Israeli military launched a relentless military campaign in Gaza in response to the armed incursion by Hamas in southern Israel, in which some 1,200 people were killed and another 251 were taken hostage.

Since then, at least 59,106 people have died in Gaza to date, according to figures from the territory's Health Ministry.

Much of Gaza has since been reduced to rubble.

Earlier on Thursday, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported that one in five children in Gaza City is malnourished and that cases were rising daily.

More than 100 international aid organizations and human rights groups have also warned of mass famine in the Gaza Strip, putting pressure on the governments to take action.

Israel, which controls the entry of all supplies into the Palestinian territory, has repeatedly said the Strip is not under siege, blaming Hamas for any cases of malnutrition.