Macron: Israeli ‘annexation’ won’t stop momentum toward Palestinian state recognition

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that Israel’s expanded offensive in Gaza or any attempt to annex additional Palestinian land cannot halt the growing momentum toward recognition of a Palestinian state.

France is among several countries preparing to recognise Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, with Belgium the latest Western nation to declare it will do the same.

“No offensive, annexation move, or forced displacement of populations will derail progress toward the two-state solution,” Macron wrote on X after a call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

He also denounced Washington’s decision to deny visas to Palestinian Authority representatives for the UN meeting as “unacceptable,” echoing criticism voiced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“We urge this measure to be reversed so that Palestinian representation is guaranteed under the Host Country Agreement,” Macron added.

His remarks came as Israel intensified its war with Hamas in Gaza, facing mounting international pressure over the worsening humanitarian toll on the enclave’s civilian population.