France recognises Palestine and calls for UN force in Gaza

Macron sets out plan for international stabilisation mission as Arab and Muslim leaders prepare to meet Trump in New York

Emmanuel Macron has announced France’s official recognition of the State of Palestine, setting out a plan for a UN-mandated international stabilisation force in postwar Gaza that is expected to find support in many countries but not in Israel or the US.

“The time has come to end the war in Gaza, the massacres and the death,” Macron said during a speech opening a special summit in the United Nations general assembly hall on Monday evening. “The time has come to do justice for the Palestinian people and thus to recognise the State of Palestine in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem.”