Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan rally behind Macron’s Palestinian recognition bid

French President Emmanuel Macron’s intention to officially recognise the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September has received support from Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed the move, writing on social media: “I am delighted that France is joining Spain and other European countries in recognising the State of Palestine.”

He emphasised the urgency of defending what he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “trying to destroy,” reiterating that “the two-state solution is the only solution.”

The Saudi Foreign Ministry also endorsed Macron’s plan, describing it as a “historic decision.” In a statement, the ministry said the move “reaffirms the international consensus on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.” Riyadh also urged other nations to follow France’s example.

Similarly, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry expressed hope that Macron’s initiative would galvanise broader international support for Palestinian statehood. In a statement, a ministry spokesperson said the two-state framework remains “the only path to achieving a just and comprehensive peace that ensures security and stability across the region.”

To date, at least 142 countries either recognise or have declared their intention to recognise Palestinian statehood, according to a tally by Agence France-Presse (AFP). However, the initiative continues to face strong opposition from Israel and the United States.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticised Macron’s move, calling it a “reckless decision” that plays into “Hamas propaganda.” In a post on X, he wrote, “It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th,” referring to the deadly Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 that marked the beginning of the current war in Gaza.

President Macron confirmed that he intends to announce France’s recognition of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

According to the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza, Israel’s military campaign has killed 59,587 Palestinians since the conflict began, the majority of them civilians. The October 2023 attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians.

By Tamilla Hasanova