The Palestinian flag is raised for the first time (with the Eiffel tower in the background) above a UN agency, the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. AFP
According to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Egypt also expressed its deep appreciation for what it described as a significant and historic step.
The ministry commended Macron's step, describing it as supporting international efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state based on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Cairo further called on all countries that have not yet taken this step to recognise a Palestinian state, affirming the international community's commitment to reaching a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian cause.
"This recognition contributes to upholding the principles of peace and justice and supports the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the right to self-determination," the ministry said.
Furthermore, Egypt emphasised the importance of regional and international efforts to end the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people.
The foreign ministry underscored the moral and legal responsibility of all members of the international community and the UN Security Council to intervene to halt the practices, crimes, and starvation policies carried out by the Israeli forces in the Palestinian territories.
"Such action is imperative to safeguarding regional and international peace and security," the ministry said in the statement.
On Thursday, the French president announced that his country would formally recognise a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly in September.
"True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. I will make a formal announcement at the UN General Assembly in September," Macron wrote on X.
The French president emphasised the need to establish a Palestinian State finally and to ensure and enable its viability through demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel to the security of all in the Middle East.
According to AFP, at least 142 countries out of the 193 UN members now either recognise or intend to recognise a Palestinian state.
Since the outbreak of the Israeli war on Gaza, several European countries such as Norway, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have officially recognised Palestinian statehood, with other nations signalling they may follow suit.
Macron's historic move — which positions France as the most powerful European nation to recognise a Palestinian state — was widely welcomed around the world from several countries, while drawing an immediate and sharp reaction from Israel.
Since October 2023, Israeli brutal aggression on Gaza has left nearly 60,000 Palestinians killed, and around 150,000 others injured, most of them women and children.
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