France's planned recognition of Palestine will not include the opening of an embassy until the Palestinian movement "Hamas" releases the hostages it is holding in Gaza. This was stated by President Emmanuel Macron in an interview with CBS, broadcast today and quoted by Agence France-Presse, BTA reports.
“Before opening an embassy, for example, we will set this as a very clear condition“, the French leader stressed.
The comment comes against the backdrop of the recognition of Palestine by Britain, Canada and Australia earlier today - a step that AFP describes as a “seismic shift“ in Western foreign policy.
The move has sparked a sharp reaction in Israel, which is under increasing international pressure over the war in Gaza and the worsening humanitarian crisis there.
Portugal is also expected to announce recognition of a Palestinian state later today, and France is likely to make the move tomorrow during the UN General Assembly session in New York, along with other countries.
In the interview, Macron also spoke out against any plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza, stressing that countries like France and the US cannot afford to have their authority on the international stage undermined by allowing such a scenario.