France recognises Palestinian State at UN meeting

France officially recognised Palestinian statehood on Monday during the opening of a high-level United Nations meeting aimed at reviving efforts toward a two-state solution in the Middle East. The move comes as the war in Gaza continues and more nations signal readiness to follow, defying opposition from Israel and the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron’s declaration inside the UN General Assembly was met with applause from over 140 world leaders in attendance. Members of the Palestinian delegation, including UN envoy Riyad Mansour, stood to acknowledge the announcement. “Remaining true to France’s historic commitment to peace in the Middle East, I declare that today, France recognizes the State of Palestine,” Macron said. Several other European nations—Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and...