Mahmoud Abbas: Saudi Arabia Played a Role in France’s Recognition of Palestine

Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, announced that Saudi Arabia played a key role in France’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine. He thanked King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support in this regard.

French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that France will officially recognize Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September this year.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Friday, described France’s decision as “historic” and a recognition of “the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.”

Abbas hailed the decision as “courageous,” stating that France’s stance reflects its support for the Palestinian people and their rights. He also called on other countries around the world to take similar steps and recognize the State of Palestine.

Saudi Arabia and France are jointly chairing a high-level conference aimed at reviving the two-state solution. The conference was initially scheduled for June but was postponed due to the war between Israel and Iran. A ministerial-level meeting is now set to take place on July 28-29 in New York to discuss the two-state solution.

France is the first major Western power to recognize Palestine despite strong opposition from Israel.

The recognition of Palestine strengthens its global standing, improves its ability to hold Israeli authorities accountable for the occupation, and increases pressure on Western powers to work towards a two-state solution.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to Macron’s decision by calling it a “gift to Hamas” and warning that it not only threatens Israel’s existence but could also pave the way for the expansion of the Islamic Republic’s influence through proxy forces in the region.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington opposes France’s decision to recognize Palestine, describing it as “reckless.”