At the UN podium on Monday, September 22, Emmanuel Macron recognized the State of Palestine on behalf of France. In his speech, he also called for an end to the fighting in Gaza and the negotiation of a ceasefire to implement a peace plan.

"The time has come," Emmanuel Macron repeated at the UN podium this Monday, September 22 in New York. In a highly anticipated speech on the war in Gaza , during a summit co-chaired with Saudi Arabia on the future of the two-state solution, the President of the Republic formally recognized the State of Palestine on behalf of France.

"We are here because the time has come. The time has come to free the 48 hostages held by Hamas. The time has come to stop the war, the bombing of Gaza, the massacres, and the fleeing populations," the head of state said at the start of his speech.

"The time has come because the urgency is everywhere. The time for peace has come, because we are moments away from no longer being able to grasp it. Some will say too late, others will say too soon. One thing is certain: we can no longer wait," continued Emmanuel Macron.

THIS "DOES NOT DETACH ANYTHING FROM THE RIGHTS OF THE ISRAELI PEOPLE"

Saying he was "faithful to [his] country's historic commitment to the Middle East," the head of state pronounced these expected words: "I declare that France recognizes today the State of Palestine."

A decision that is "a way of affirming that the Palestinian people are not a superfluous people," that they "are strong in their history, their roots, their dignity." "Recognizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people does not take anything away from the rights of the Israeli people," Emmanuel Macron said. "This recognition is the only solution that will bring peace to Israel."

During his speech, the French president paid tribute to the victims of October 7, castigating "the barbarity of Hamas" and adding that "nothing, ever, anywhere can justify terrorism." "October 7 is a wound that is still raw [...] We will never cease the existential fight against anti-Semitism."

But, at the same time, "nothing justifies continuing the war in Gaza anymore," he stressed. "On the contrary, everything demands that it be put to a definitive end now, to save lives [...] We must open this path to peace, because since last July, the acceleration of events has been terrible and gives rise to the fear that the Abraham Accords will be called into question and that peace will become impossible for a long time in the Middle East."

A TWO-PHASE PEACE AND SECURITY PLAN

This recognition of a Palestinian state is "a defeat for Hamas and for all those who stir up anti-Semitic hatred, harbor anti-Zionist obsessions, and seek the destruction of the State of Israel," the head of state assured. It is an integral part of the peace and security plan that Saudi Arabia and France developed and which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

The latter must "provide concrete objectives" and "trigger a dynamic of peace that meets everyone's needs," according to Emmanuel Macron. The first phase of this plan involves the "release of the 48 Israeli hostages" but also "the end of military operations in Gaza." "Hamas has been defeated militarily by the neutralization of its leaders; it must be defeated politically to be completely dismantled," the French president explained.

The second phase will be that of "stabilization and reconstruction in Gaza." The head of state spoke of a "transitional administration integrating the Palestinian Authority and accompanied by security forces" which will have "a monopoly on security in Gaza" and will be responsible for "dismantling and disarming Hamas."

A NEW “FRAMEWORK FOR DEMOCRATIC EXPRESSION”

According to him, France is "ready to contribute to an international stabilization mission" and will notably support the training and equipment of these Palestinian forces. "I could decide to establish an embassy in the State of Palestine as soon as all the hostages held in Gaza have been released and a ceasefire has been established," the French president added.

It will be up to the State of Palestine "to offer its people a renewed framework for democratic expression," Emmanuel Macron said. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the October 7 terrorist attack and the actions of Hamas and "affirmed his commitment to combating hate speech" while ensuring "a profound overhaul of Palestinian governance."

Acknowledging the "reluctance" and "fears" of the Israeli authorities, but also the "sadness" and "fatigue" of the Israeli people, Emmanuel Macron said he was convinced that Israel had "the strength" to implement this two-state solution.

"142 states are proposing this peace, hands outstretched, ready to be shaken," he recalled. "The time has come to stop the war in Gaza, the massacres, the death. The time has come for Israel to live in peace [...] Peace is much more demanding, much more difficult than all wars. But the time has come."