Israel National News reports: “French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday that France intends to formally recognize a Palestinian state in the near future, with the decision potentially being made public during an upcoming international summit in New York.

Speaking to France 5 television following his visit to Egypt, Macron stated, ‘We must move towards recognition, and we will do so in the coming months.’

The French leader said his country is working with Saudi Arabia to co-host a conference in June focused on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Arab conflict. Macron stated that the event could serve as the platform for ‘finalising this movement of mutual recognition (of a Palestinian state) by several parties.’

Explaining his motivation, Macron said, ‘I will do it (…) because I believe that at some point it will be right and because I also want to participate in a collective dynamic – which must also allow all those who defend Palestine to recognise Israel in turn, which many of them do not do.’

Macron emphasized that recognizing a Palestinian state would also clarify France’s opposition to groups and governments that deny Israel’s legitimacy. ‘Such recognition would allow France to be clear in our fight against those who deny Israel’s right to exist – which is the case with Iran – and to commit ourselves to collective security in the region,’ he stated…”