Macron says no embassy in Palestine before hostage release

France will not open an embassy in the Palestinian state unless all hostages held by Hamas are released, President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview ahead of his planned announcement at the United Nations on September 22 recognising Palestinian statehood.

Speaking to CBS News, Macron confirmed that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine this week, calling it "the beginning of a political process and a peace and security plan for everybody." However, he drew a clear line between recognition and the establishment of full diplomatic ties, Caliber.Az reports. 

"So this is a clear condition before we will open an embassy. This is the first series of conditions and requirements we will push-  we will put in the peace process. But we will announce the 22nd this recognition of Palestinian state," Macron said.

Macron framed the recognition as a necessary step toward reviving hopes for peace in the region.

“We are at the very moment where, if we want peace and security for all in the region, we have to preserve the condition of a political perspective for everybody,” he said.

According to the French president, the recognition will kickstart a three-phase roadmap. The first phase, described as an “emergency phase,” will focus on achieving a ceasefire, securing the release of all hostages, and reopening humanitarian corridors to stabilize Gaza.

The second phase will address the "day after" scenario, which Macron said involves organising Gaza’s governance, ensuring security, and launching reconstruction efforts.

The final phase will center on advancing a long-term political solution based on the two-state model. “

Recognizing the Palestinian state today is the only way to provide a political solution to a situation which has to stop,” Macron said.

By Sabina Mammadli