France supports Palestine’s membership in the UN, towards a historic turning point!
In a significant reversal of its position, France announced on Friday its support for granting Palestine full member state status at the United Nations. This decision marks a pivotal step in the Palestinians’ long-standing quest for international recognition.
France works for full recognition of the Palestinian state
During an extraordinary session of the UN General Assembly this Friday, France joined an overwhelming majority of countries to adopt a resolution urging the Security Council to favorably reconsider the Palestinian application.
Although the adopted resolution does not grant Palestine immediate membership, it nevertheless states that it meets the required criteria and advocates that the Security Council should reconsider its request with a favorable assumption.
The General Assembly’s vote, despite its symbolic nature, demonstrates growing international support for the Palestinian state.
Indeed, 143 countries, including France, approved the resolution, with only 9 negative votes, coming mainly from the United States and Israel, opposing this decision.
This outcome illustrates increasing global solidarity towards the Palestinians, despite Washington’s consistent opposition to their UN membership in the absence of a peace agreement negotiated with Israel.
According to French Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière, “it is time for the United Nations to act to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the two-state solution”. While unequivocally condemning Hamas attacks, Paris calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and opposes the ongoing Israeli offensive in Rafah.
Towards full and complete recognition of the Palestinian state?
Although it does not yet allow Palestine to become the 194th UN member state, the resolution adopted Friday grants it new significant rights and privileges.
As of September, Palestinians will be able to sit among member states, submit proposals, and fully participate in UN conferences.
These diplomatic advances, combined with broad international support, strengthen the prospects for full and complete recognition of the Palestinian state at the UN.
However, the path remains fraught with obstacles, foremost among which is the opposition of the United States, which threatens to use its veto right again at the Security Council.
In the end, only a negotiated political solution can bring a lasting end to the conflict and pave the way for Palestinian membership. France, through its vote and renewed commitment, intends to actively contribute to this alongside the international community. What remains is to turn the hope generated into concrete actions for peace.
