Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has welcomed the announcement on Thursday, July 24, that France will recognize Palestine in September.
"I welcome the announcement by President Macron that France will recognise Palestine in September," the Tánaiste said on social media on Thrusday night, July 24.
"This is an important contribution towards implementing the two-state solution, which offers the only lasting basis for peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike."
The Tánaiste added: "Next week’s UN conference is another important step.
"As President Macron says, peace is possible.
"I call on all to redouble efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and humanitarian aid at scale into Gaza."
I welcome the announcement by President Macron that 🇫🇷 will recognise 🇵🇸 in September.
This is an important contribution towards implementing the two State solution, which offers the only lasting basis for peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. https://t.co/cvzQ8xC0Vj
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 24, 2025
In a statement issued in both French and English on social media on Thursday, President of France Emmanuel Macron said: "Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.
"I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September.
"The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population.
"Peace is possible.
"We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.
"We must also ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, secure and rebuild Gaza.
"And finally, we must build the State of Palestine, guarantee its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the region.
"There is no alternative.
"The French people want peace in the Middle East. It is our responsibility — as French citizens, alongside Israelis, Palestinians, and our European and international partners — to prove that peace is possible.
"In light of the commitments made to me by the President of the Palestinian Authority, I have written to him to express my determination to move forward.
"Trust, clarity, and resolve. We will achieve peace."
France's recognition of the State of Palestine comes more than a year after Ireland, in concert with Spain and Norway, formally recognized Palestine in May 2024.
Israel responded by bringing in the Irish, Spanish, and Norwegian Ambassadors for a "severe demarche." In front of local media, the trio of Ambassadors was shown a video of the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Harris, who was Taoiseach at the time of Ireland's recognition of Palestine, said at the time: “This decision of Ireland is about keeping hope alive. It is about believing that a two-state solution is the only way for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security.
“We had wanted to recognise Palestine at the end of a peace process however we have made this move alongside Spain and Norway to keep the miracle of peace alive.
"I again call on Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel to listen to the world and stop the humanitarian catastrophe we are seeing in Gaza.”
France is now set to become the 148th member of the United Nations to recognize the State of Palestine. Among the countries that do not recognize Palestine are the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia.
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