Macron reaffirms France’s call for peaceful two-state solution

ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed call for a peaceful two-state solution as he is expected to announce their recognition of the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in New York this week.

"What France wants is two states living in peace side by side: a state of Israel that recognizes a state of Palestine, a state of Palestine that recognizes a state of Israel," Macron said in a video he released Sunday on US social media company X.

He pointed to the "pain," "suffering," and "distress" of all the people in Gaza and those who live "under the bombings without access to humanitarian aid."

"Deep down, all lives are equal. And behind all this, we have stolen lives, lives taken away, people who are suffering. And what we want, what France wants, is peace," Macron said.

He reaffirmed that their recognition of a state of Palestine is the "beginning of a path," reminding the presence of conditions and requirements for the involved parties.

On Sunday, in an interview with CBS News, Macron said the release of Israeli hostages was a "clear condition" before they open an embassy in Palestine.

He also voiced his disagreement with the recent conclusion by UN investigators that Israel is committing genocdie in Gaza.

"We don't qualify as a genocide what's happening because it is not a political statement. This is for the judges or the, and or the historians to qualify a genocide by a series of evidence and a clear jurisprudence and clear elements," Macron explained.

On Sunday, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal announced the recognition of Palestine, bringing the total number of UN member states that have taken this step to 153 out of 193.

Eleven other countries -- including Malta, Luxembourg, France, and Belgium -- declared plans to extend the recognition during the UN General Assembly’s 80th session this month in New York, where world leaders will convene for the General Debate.