The Minister of Foreign Affairs states that the French president’s announcement regarding the recognition of the state of Palestine in September “is not a novelty.”
In remarks to journalists on Friday, Paulo Rangel said, “It is already the third time in recent months that President Macron has said he will recognize it.”
“Initially, it was supposed to be on June 19, but then the attacks from Iran prevented it. Therefore, it is not new from this point of view,” he added.
Rangel further asserted that “Portugal has always been open and will remain open to this recognition” of the state of Palestine. However, he emphasized that “Portugal is a sovereign state, and thus, its policy is not defined by other states.”
The recognition of Palestine must meet certain conditions
Recalling that Portugal will be present at the conference on the solution of having two sovereign and recognized States in the region currently at war, to be held in New York, United States, from July 28 to 30, organized by France and Saudi Arabia, the minister stressed that “this conference will now be very important.”
The Prime Minister, Rangel said, “has already outlined a series of conditions [for the recognition of the State of Palestine] which parallel those defined by France and which France deemed met.”
“Portugal continues in contact with its partners, and France is undoubtedly one of them,” he noted.
The minister, speaking on the sidelines of the “EurAfrican Forum,” taking place today in Carcavelos, Cascais, noted that he continues “to closely monitor this process, always in dialogue with its partners,” namely France, whose President assured a forthcoming recognition of Palestine.
France to recognize the state of Palestine in September
On the social network X, Emmanuel Macron stated that “faithful to its historical 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 the formal announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September.”
Macron reiterates the need for “an immediate ceasefire,” “the release of all hostages,” and “massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.” To this end, he also advocates the demilitarization of Hamas.
“The French want peace in the Middle East. It is up to us, the French, together with the Israelis, the Palestinians, and our European and international partners, to demonstrate that this is possible,” he added.
Fidèle à son engagement historique pour une paix juste et durable au Proche-Orient, j’ai décidé que la France reconnaîtra l’État de Palestine.
J’en ferai l’annonce solennelle à l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies, au mois de septembre prochain.… pic.twitter.com/7yQLkqoFWC
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 24, 2025
The French president says he has already spoken with the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas about his “determination to move forward.”
Israel accuses France of “instigating terrorism”
Israel’s deputy prime minister says the French president’s decision is “a black mark on French history and a direct incitement to terrorism,” adding that it is a “shameful decision.”
Yarin Levin further stated that it is “time to apply Israeli sovereignty” in the West Bank, territory occupied by Israel since 1967.
Hamas applauds the French decision
In a statement, the Palestinian group considered that it is “a positive step in the right direction to do justice to our oppressed Palestinian people and support their legitimate right to self-determination.”
Hamas also urged “all the countries of the world, especially European nations and those that have not yet recognized the state of Palestine, to follow France’s example.”
