'Pave the way for peace': France recognizes State of Palestine during UN meeting on two-state solution

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday at a UN meeting on the two-state solution that his country recognizes the State of Palestine, joining most of the other UN member states.

"I declare today that France recognizes the State of Palestine," Macron said at the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.

"The time has come. We can no longer wait," he said. "We must pave the way for peace." 

"We must do everything within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security," Macron said before announcing the diplomatic move.

The French president also outlined a framework for a "renewed Palestinian Authority" under which France would open an embassy subject to factors such as reforms, a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages taken from Israel and held by Hamas in Gaza.

World leaders rally behind Palestinian state

Over 150 countries have now announced their recognition of the State of Palestine.

On Sunday, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized the State of Palestine to push for a two-state solution, as Israel pressed ahead with its offensive and annexation in Gaza despite mounting global condemnation.

Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg and San Marino were also expected to recognize a Palestinian state on Monday ahead of this week's UN General Assembly.

"We call on those who have not yet done so to follow suit," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said via video link, as he was unable to attend the milestone events after being refused a U.S. visa.

"We call for your support so that Palestine becomes a full-fledged member of the United Nations," he added, promising reforms and elections within a year of a ceasefire.

A delegation representing the State of Palestine has observer status at the UN, but no voting rights. No matter how many countries recognize Palestinian independence, full UN membership would require approval by the Security Council, where the U.S. has a veto.

The two-state solution was the bedrock of the U.S.-backed peace process ushered in by the 1993 Oslo Accords. The process suffered heavy pushback from both sides and has all but died.

No such negotiations over a two-state solution have been held since 2014.

Israel's fierce resistance

The recognitions marked a landmark diplomatic shift, nearly two years into the Gaza conflict, that faces fierce resistance from Israel and its close ally the United States.

The United States and Israel boycotted Monday's meeting. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon reiterated his condemnation of Monday's two-state solution summit in New York, saying Israel would discuss how to respond to the announcements of recognition after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to Israel next week.

Israel has said such moves will undermine the prospects of a peaceful end to the conflict, while declaring there will be no Palestinian state as it pushes on with its fight against Hamas in Gaza.

The United States has told other countries that Palestinian recognition will create more problems, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this month.

Israel has drawn global condemnation over its military operations in Gaza, where more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza-based health authorities.

Israel will skip an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Gaza scheduled for Tuesday because of the Jewish New Year.

(With input from agencies)